113 replies to this topic

[PPK]

Looking forward to the pictures.

[Drylok]

Well get em up soon as we can, vid too hopefully

[Ashdump]

Great meeting! Thank you Drylok, Mr. & Mrs. B, Mike W, Abolt and everyone else who worked so hard to produce this meeting! My dad was very impressed with both the quality of speakers and the organization of it all!


I don't know what the tunrout was in numbers, lot's of empty chairs though. Somebody wanted to know why the place wasn't packed. IMO it is because people in general either care nothing about the issue or don't "have time" to come to these things. Almost a month ago, I was purchasing some ammo at Walmart. The lady waiting the counter actually showed me the flyer and told me all about this meeting. I acted like I didn't know about it and she told me all about it! She was in agreement with us and said IL's laws made no sense. At any rate, I told everyone I knew about the meeting and only 2 of them showed up, my dad and Al Reynolds (candidate for the 52 senate district) I suppose most, if not all folks I know agree with CCW anyway, but it would have been nice to have more people. The media was also a big disappointment. I think the local newspaper had a reporter on hand (haven't seen the paper yet). On the plus side, I did see a good number of women there!

[Ol'Coach]

Nice column on the front page of the "Local" section of the N-G. Even had a colored pic. Didn't have it in the electronic version, but I'll scan the "rag" and try to post it here.

Title, "Event makes pitch for concealed-carry law".

ETA:  Can't "attach" here, will have to do it elsewhere.

[abolt243]

Ashdump, on 13 July 2010 - 04:36 AM, said:

Great meeting! Thank you Drylok, Mr. & Mrs. B, Mike W, Abolt and everyone else who worked so hard to produce this meeting! My dad was very impressed with both the quality of speakers and the organization of it all!


I don't know what the tunrout was in numbers, lot's of empty chairs though. Somebody wanted to know why the place wasn't packed. IMO it is because people in general either care nothing about the issue or don't "have time" to come to these things. Almost a month ago, I was purchasing some ammo at Walmart. The lady waiting the counter actually showed me the flyer and told me all about this meeting. I acted like I didn't know about it and she told me all about it! She was in agreement with us and said IL's laws made no sense. At any rate, I told everyone I knew about the meeting and only 2 of them showed up, my dad and Al Reynolds (candidate for the 52 senate district) I suppose most, if not all folks I know agree with CCW anyway, but it would have been nice to have more people. The media was also a big disappointment. I think the local newspaper had a reporter on hand (haven't seen the paper yet). On the plus side, I did see a good number of women there!

No credit due to me, all I did was show up and sell a few raffle tickets.  Kudos to Drylok and Coach who did the yeoman's share of legwork getting this set up.  As to the crowd.  We had 140+ people talking about carrying guns in the heart of the second most liberal, anti gun city in Illinois!  You all did great!!  You encouraged many who thought they were alone in their thoughts, you opened the eyes of several who thought they opposed the concept, you made a little money for the cause and most of all you got some media attention (front page news according to Coach this morning).

You got in a personal plug for the only pro-carry Gubernatorial candidate it the state, you gave some progun politicians and candidates some exposure with the pro gun crowd and you gave some folks a chance to vent and ask some questions.

You got some exposure for Illinois Carry, ISRA, GSL, NRA, PA LTCF, FOID, and just general firearm friendly people in general.  You all did great!!  

And you did it in the belly of the "second beast".

Congrats to all and thanks to MikeW for the long trip and to Molly and Mr B who have been gone from home so long that they had to ask us for directions before we all left last night!

Thanks too to the Sheriffs that showed up and voiced their support and answered questions.  Sheriff McGrew, after the meeting told me that he would welcome the idea of some law-abiding citizens, carrying weapons, that he might depend on for help in tight situations.  Mr McGrew is the Sheriff of Douglas County, where a deputy was killed in the line of duty a couple of years ago during a crime spree by a couple of 'ganstas' through Tuscola, Villa Grove and Arcola. To quote another member, "he gets it".

Great meeting, where's the next one??

AB

[Federal Farmer]

I, too, say "kudos" on the great meeting.  Special note to Drylock for such great opening remarks!  

[Ol'Coach]

Federal Farmer, on 13 July 2010 - 07:15 AM, said:

I, too, say "kudos" on the great meeting.  Special note to Drylock for such great opening remarks!  

+1...+2, for gettin' it done!!

ETA:  Whoops!  Reckon I just checked the N-G electronic edition too early...it's there now:

My link

[Drylok]

Federal Farmer, on 13 July 2010 - 07:15 AM, said:

I, too, say "kudos" on the great meeting. Special note to Drylock for such great opening remarks!

That means a lot to me coming from you. Thank you FF!

Though I was disappointed in the turnout we had some new comers that joined us. I can't remember for sure but I think I had 15 FOID apps and 15 PA LTCF apps with me and I have 3 FOID left and 1 PA LTCF app left. There was one lady who made a large contribution to ISRA and to my knowledge had not been to such a meeting, she picked up her first FOID app on her way out.

Those are the kind of folks we like to draw to these meetings and if we inspired just a couple existing gun owners to now become ACTIVELY ENGAGED it was worth it IMO.

Mike And Valinda, I can't thank you enough for your guidance in setting this meeting up. I can't wait to do it again!

I'll be writing thank you letters to the sheriffs and senators who joined us this evening. Also Senator Righter would like a list of the guests. Mike or Molly do you have that and could you copy down those names and send it to me?

[Buzzard]

I wouldn't be disappointed in the turnout, Drylok! I think one hundred thirty butts in the seats is a great turnout. Especially in a liberal city. I believe I had about forty people at the Ogle Town Hall Meeting, as I recall. We do what we can and hopefully, the people that do attend will spread the message. I'd say the positive press on the local paper's front page is a BIG acheivement. Just think of the number of people that will read that article!! You did GREAT!! Don't sell yourself short. Your message reached thousands of people with that front page article. That's a BIG victory in my book!

[Drylok]

Thanks Buzz, I appreciate that brother!

Edit: But see here's what I'm talking about. This is where I failed

From The Comment Section:
Sincere thanks for the unbiased coverage News Gazette! This is one more Right To Carry advocate who didn't attend because he hadn't heard of the meeting! So count one more! Josh McNattin Champaign

Fliers aren't good enough, we must find new innovative ways to reach the masses and inform them of upcoming events.

[abolt243]

Drylok, on 13 July 2010 - 11:06 AM, said:

Thanks Buzz, I appreciate that brother!

Edit: But see here's what I'm talking about. This is where I failed

From The Comment Section:
Sincere thanks for the unbiased coverage News Gazette! This is one more Right To Carry advocate who didn't attend because he hadn't heard of the meeting! So count one more! Josh McNattin Champaign

Fliers aren't good enough, we must find new innovative ways to reach the masses and inform them of upcoming events.

Yeah, you're going to miss some.   "RTC advocates" that truly ARE advocates need to seek out meetings and others of like mind.  What does Mr. McNattin want, an engraved invitation hand delivered??  Sometimes Mohammed must go to the mountain.

UAB

[Drylok]

abolt243, on 13 July 2010 - 11:48 AM, said:

Drylok, on 13 July 2010 - 11:06 AM, said:

Thanks Buzz, I appreciate that brother!

Edit: But see here's what I'm talking about. This is where I failed

From The Comment Section:
Sincere thanks for the unbiased coverage News Gazette! This is one more Right To Carry advocate who didn't attend because he hadn't heard of the meeting! So count one more! Josh McNattin Champaign

Fliers aren't good enough, we must find new innovative ways to reach the masses and inform them of upcoming events.

Yeah, you're going to miss some. "RTC advocates" that truly ARE advocates need to seek out meetings and others of like mind. What does Mr. McNattin want, an engraved invitation hand delivered?? Sometimes Mohammed must go to the mountain.

UAB

lol Well ya true. If the guy was in darn near any gas station, hardware store, farm store, gun shop or eat'n joint in the 4 county area there was an opportunity to see a flier.
A lady who attended last night just called me and wanted to thank everyone who put the meeting on as she is not a firearm owner yet (foid in the mail), this was her first 2A meeting and she said she's going to the GSL meeting tonight. I do believe we built a fire under that Illinois citizen!

[abolt243]

[quote name='Drylok' date='13 July 2010 - 01:04 PM' timestamp='1279044281' post='222516']
[/quote]
lol Well ya true. If the guy was in darn near any gas station, hardware store, farm store, gun shop or eat'n joint in the 4 county area there was an opportunity to see a flier.
A lady who attended last night just called me and wanted to thank everyone who put the meeting on as she is not a firearm owner yet (foid in the mail), this was her first 2A meeting and she said she's going to the GSL meeting tonight. I do believe we built a fire under that Illinois citizen!
[/quote]


If it converts just one person, it's worth it!!

[Drylok]

I could use some help with thank you notes if someone would be so kind. I'll take care of a letter to the sheriffs and the senators if someone will send a thank you letter to the editor at The News Gazzette. Please post any letters here before sending.

[papa]

Crouching Tiger ,

Stop beating yourself up! You did GREAT!

While getting ready for the Wayne Co. meeting , I delivered many fliers and talked to many people as did others who were working this area at the time. I had a solid dozen people tell me how glad they were to see this meeting happen and how they wanted to be there to learn all they could about it. Some were family....

The night of the meeting , there were 3 people there that I had talked to. One was ME! Others there may have seen the fliers and came but the ones I had spoken to, and who had said they would be there , later gave me exscuses such as .. well I wanted to see that new movie out .. or we decided to go out to eat , etc.......They want to see a carry bill passed , but they want someone else to do all the leg work for them. Such is human nature unfortunately.

[Drylok]

papa, on 13 July 2010 - 12:13 PM, said:

Crouching Tiger ,

Stop beating yourself up! You did GREAT!

While getting ready for the Wayne Co. meeting , I delivered many fliers and talked to many people as did others who were working this area at the time. I had a solid dozen people tell me how glad they were to see this meeting happen and how they wanted to be there to learn all they could about it. Some were family....

The night of the meeting , there were 3 people there that I had talked to. One was ME! Others there may have seen the fliers and came but the ones I had spoken to, and who had said they would be there , later gave me exscuses such as .. well I wanted to see that new movie out .. or we decided to go out to eat , etc.......They want to see a carry bill passed , but they want someone else to do all the leg work for them. Such is human nature unfortunately.

Yes same here and that sucks especially when they're friends. I just think when it comes right down to it they say ah screw it, I ain't going it's never going to happen anyway.

[Ol'Coach]

Drylok, on 13 July 2010 - 12:12 PM, said:

I could use some help with thank you notes if someone would be so kind. I'll take care of a letter to the sheriffs and the senators if someone will send a thank you letter to the editor at The News Gazzette. Please post any letters here before sending.

I'll take care of the News-Gazette, with a special note to the reporter who covered it.  Tim Mitchell used to cover the athletic events where I coached.

I'll post the letter here.

[Federal Farmer]

papa, on 13 July 2010 - 12:13 PM, said:

Crouching Tiger ,

Stop beating yourself up! You did GREAT!

While getting ready for the Wayne Co. meeting , I delivered many fliers and talked to many people as did others who were working this area at the time. I had a solid dozen people tell me how glad they were to see this meeting happen and how they wanted to be there to learn all they could about it. Some were family....

The night of the meeting , there were 3 people there that I had talked to. One was ME! Others there may have seen the fliers and came but the ones I had spoken to, and who had said they would be there , later gave me exscuses such as .. well I wanted to see that new movie out .. or we decided to go out to eat , etc.......They want to see a carry bill passed , but they want someone else to do all the leg work for them. Such is human nature unfortunately.

um...how often do you talk to yourself?  

[Ol'Coach]

Thank you to Tim Mitchel:

Quote

Quote

Tim,

I want to thank you for your very fair reporting of the town hall meeting last night.

These meetings are being held all over the state, and it isn't often that we get unbiased reporting such as yours.

I can't tell you how much it is appreciated.


On behalf of Illinoiscarry.com, our sincere thanks!


Gene Martin


P.S.:

On a personal note...been a long time, and really was great chattin' about old times!

[papa]

How often ???

Seems to be more and more every day. Best of all I have a real good chance of winning the argument this way.

[Drylok]

Ol, on 13 July 2010 - 12:52 PM, said:

Thank you to Tim Mitchel:

Quote

Quote

Tim,

I want to thank you for your very fair reporting of the town hall meeting last night.

These meetings are being held all over the state, and it isn't often that we get unbiased reporting such as yours.

I can't tell you how much it is appreciated.


On behalf of Illinoiscarry.com, our sincere thanks!


Gene Martin


P.S.:

On a personal note...been a long time, and really was great chattin' about old times!

Thank you coach!

[Ol'Coach]

Called Dan Corkery on the phone to thank him personally.  He's in charge of the "local news" of the N-G and is the person I talked to yesterday A.M. Thanked him, and sent him an email "..to make it official" stating basically the same as the above letter, but without the personal note.

[Drylok]

<P>delete</P>

[Drylok]

I'm not very good at writing these kinds of things but here's what I have written to Sheriff McGrew and Sheriff Hartshorn.

Sheriff,On behalf of the illinoiscarry.com board of directors and members we would like to thank you for your attendance at last Mondays Right To Carry Town Hall @ Hawthorn Suites in Champaign. We noted that you took the time to visit and answer questions afterwards for the attendees and that is a good illustration of your committment to serving the people. We appreciate your comments of support that you were quoted of saying in the News Gazzette article the following day. We wish you all the best and look forward to working with you on future events.

Sincerly,
illinoiscarry.com