Big crowd expected in Albion for 2nd Amendment rally on Saturday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 April 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse lawn and front steps may be packed Saturday when hundreds of people are expected for a Second Amendment rally.

New York Revolution, a group that formed after the state Legislature and Gov. Cuomo approved a gun control law in January, is organizing a rally from 11 a.m. to at least 2 p.m.

A lineup of speakers includes conservative talk show host Bob Lonsberry, State Sen. George Maziarz, State Assembly members Steve Hawley and David DiPietro, County Legislature Chairman David Callard and several other Second Amendment supporters.

“It’s not just a guns issue,” said event organizer Gia Arnold of Holley. “It’s more of a rights issue. They are taking away our freedoms.”

Arnold is regional coordinator for New York Revolution’s chapters in Orleans, Erie, Niagara, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

The rally will give people a chance to vent about the state’s new law, and connect with similar-minded residents in neighboring communities, Arnold said. New York Revolution is trying to build a movement to oppose ill-advised gun control laws, she said.

“I don’t think the new laws, especially the legislation at state and national levels, will make anyone safer,” Arnold said. “Guns themselves are just a tool. They need to focus on the people behind the gun.”

The state legislation has been formally opposed by most upstate counties, including Orleans. The county Legislature in February said the state didn’t give residents a chance to comment on the proposal before it became law, and many aspects of the legislation are confusing and open to interpretation.

The law also places costly burdens on government and businesses for verifying gun ownership. Legislators also criticized the law for prohibiting firearm magazines with more than seven rounds, when most magazines have 10 rounds.

Arnold, a mother of three young children, said the media hasn’t given enough coverage to Second Amendment supporters.

“We need to get our voice out there,” she said.