Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Supporters of gun rights and Second Amendment advocates gathered in downtown Springfield Wednesday for the annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, or also known as IGOLD. The event started at the Bank of Springfield Center, where attendees gathered before making their way through downtown streets toward the Illinois State Capitol. Participants gathered in front of the Capitol building, where speakers addressed the crowd.
During the rally, attendees voiced opposition to pending legislation, including a proposed five-cent tax on ammunition and requirements that would mandate matching serial numbers on bullets and casings.
Republican lawmakers who addressed the crowd discussed the potential impact of the proposals on legal firearm owners. State Sen. Terri Bryant and State Rep. Dan Caulkins said the measures would affect law-abiding residents.
State Rep. Travis Weaver of Peoria spoke about the broader implications of the legislation, saying, “Second Amendment protects every other amendment.”
Weaver also addressed the proposed ammunition tax. “Let’s say that you’re a single woman who lives alone… why do you have a gun? For self-defense,” he said. “We’re gonna tax her 5 cents on every round of ammo, when she’s just trying to protect her home… that’s the person they are coming after.”
Speakers at the event frequently referenced the Second Amendment in their remarks.
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer of the 100th District said the amendment is often misunderstood. “I think often the Second Amendment is misunderstood. People think that it’s to protect the right to hunt. The reality is they weren’t talking about hunting,” Davidsmeyer said.
He added, “The reality is the Second Amendment supports all of the other rights, whether that’s freedom of speech, freedom of religion, whatever it may be… all of those rights are protected by our ability to maintain ownership of firearms, and the government should never be able to take that away.”
Davidsmeyer also discussed his position on additional firearm-related legislation. “If they don’t pass any more bills, we are better off,” he continued, “If they start prosecuting individuals who are committing these crimes, they won’t have to worry about gun laws.”
State Rep. Adam Niemerg also addressed a proposal that would require gun owners to carry liability insurance.
Ralph Black, a candidate for the 44th House District, said he attended the rally in support of the Illinois State Rifle Association.
Black said events like IGOLD are important for those who want to express their views. “You have all these other rallies that are standing up for maybe something that isn’t right or something that is trying to take our rights away… I’m for people having their rights, not having them being taken away. I think it’s important we rally for that,” he said.
He also said he would like to see “stand your ground” protections considered in state law. “The right to bear arms, we need to be able to keep that right because it supports all of the other amendments,” Black said.
Organizers encouraged participants to meet with their elected officials following the rally. Supporters of the legislation say the proposals are intended to address gun violence and improve public safety, as debate continues at the Capitol.
