Uncle Harley Posted March 8, 2012 at 03:57 AM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 03:57 AM Zalewski said unless concealed carry supporters are willing to compromise with Chicago-area lawmakers, he doesn't believe the legislation will pass. GOOD! I'll take constitutional carry any day of the week when we win our court cases. Then it will be THEM that are begging please conceal your weapon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drylok Posted March 8, 2012 at 12:12 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 12:12 PM In an article on the day's activities in the Legislature the Chicago Tribune casually mentioned that "more than a thousand" gun rights activists were in the capitol.Yeah...more than a thousand...try about 6000 - 7000.The media is just not capable of telling the truth. Let's be sure not to stretch the truth ourselves or our complaints about the media are null and void. There were not 6 thousand of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drylok Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:24 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:24 PM Does anyone have the money shot yet from up on the railroad bridge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samy12386 Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:29 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:29 PM Zalewski said unless concealed carry supporters are willing to compromise with Chicago-area lawmakers, he doesn't believe the legislation will pass. GOOD! I'll take constitutional carry any day of the week when we win our court cases. Then it will be THEM that are begging please conceal your weapon. I could kiss you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockman Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:30 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:30 PM Anyone have a scientifically based estimate on attendance? Packet count? Based on my observations at the convention center I would say there were about 20% or so less than last year. Whatever the figure, the march to the capitol for the last 5 years or so has been an impressive sight. In more modern terminology it is just awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drylok Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:35 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:35 PM I don't think it was less than last year but I don't think it was 8 thousand. It is weird because inside the center it doesn't look like that many but when we get outside on the streets it's like. I don't know why the ISRA makes this so complicated and secretive every year. Just count the damn packets left and be done with it. I suspect it was 3 or 4 thousand just like the last couple years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadWaterBill Posted March 8, 2012 at 03:32 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 03:32 PM Using the packets for a count will NOT give you a true count. I was at the capitol steps telling folks to put their belt buckles etc in the envelopes to speed up the screening. Trying to think back I would say that 1/3 of the folks in line said "I do not have one of those. PS Next year bring a 1 gal zip lock bag and put your drivers license on top of everything. The police liked this idea and said it sped up the time to enter by about 1/3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Federal Farmer Posted March 8, 2012 at 03:43 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 03:43 PM Yes, the packet count is way under the actual count. Also, not everyone marches. I was working the table in the Rotunda and there were more than a few who skipped the march and went straight to the Capitol. My estimate is closer to 9,000 to 10,000 and I'm sticking to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abolt243 Posted March 8, 2012 at 04:06 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 04:06 PM Using the packets for a count will NOT give you a true count. I was at the capitol steps telling folks to put their belt buckles etc in the envelopes to speed up the screening. Trying to think back I would say that 1/3 of the folks in line said "I do not have one of those. PS Next year bring a 1 gal zip lock bag and put your drivers license on top of everything. The police liked this idea and said it sped up the time to enter by about 1/3. Why the driver's license? It's not required to enter. We used quart sized ziplocs for change, keys, pens with metal and even pocketknives under 3" blades. No need to remove belts, shoes or wallets unless the wallet has a metal key in it or the belt buckle is huge. It's not nearly as tight as TSA security points. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yas Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:01 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:01 PM State troopers at security stated they do a daily headcount of entrants. But that number is void for what we want due to other normal entrants for other lobby groups or people that have legal matters in the capitol buildings. He did mention they had around 10,000 in the building last Igold. The White jackets in the building were from a pharmacological lobby interest this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglebob Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:52 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:52 PM State troopers at security stated they do a daily headcount of entrants. But that number is void for what we want due to other normal entrants for other lobby groups or people that have legal matters in the capitol buildings. He did mention they had around 10,000 in the building last Igold. The White jackets in the building were from a pharmacological lobby interest this year. I was thinking maybe next year have some folks outside the doors giving a adhesive signal dot (for their shirt or jacket) for everyone from IGOLD without an IGOLD shirt or hat and have someone inside each door counting people as they go through security. We'd have a number to give to the media then. I wonder if ISP troopers could give us the normal number of people visiting the capitol building on a wednesday, maybe the pharmacological lobby could give us an idea how many they had there. The excess could be figured as IGOLD folks, unless some other group was there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abolt243 Posted March 8, 2012 at 07:17 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 07:17 PM State troopers at security stated they do a daily headcount of entrants. But that number is void for what we want due to other normal entrants for other lobby groups or people that have legal matters in the capitol buildings. He did mention they had around 10,000 in the building last Igold. The White jackets in the building were from a pharmacological lobby interest this year. I was thinking maybe next year have some folks outside the doors giving a adhesive signal dot (for their shirt or jacket) for everyone from IGOLD without an IGOLD shirt or hat and have someone inside each door counting people as they go through security. We'd have a number to give to the media then. I wonder if ISP troopers could give us the normal number of people visiting the capitol building on a wednesday, maybe the pharmacological lobby could give us an idea how many they had there. The excess could be figured as IGOLD folks, unless some other group was there. That would be the Secretary of State Police. They are the agency responsible for Capitol Security, not ISP. Different agencies. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaden Posted March 8, 2012 at 07:54 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 07:54 PM Shortly after I Facebooked a picture during the march, my friend sent me a message that he was there as well, so the place had a number of ABATE members floating around as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadWaterBill Posted March 8, 2012 at 08:57 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 08:57 PM Why the driver's license? It's not required to enter. We used quart sized ziplocs for change, keys, pens with metal and even pocketknives under 3" blades. No need to remove belts, shoes or wallets unless the wallet has a metal key in it or the belt buckle is huge. It's not nearly as tight as TSA security points. Your drivers license gives proof at a glance who actually owns a bag. This was suggested by one of the senior officers, to avoid any problems. As far as the knife thing goes, one officer said 1.5" closed another said 3" overall. None of the officers has a ruler so it is their call weather you keep your knife or loose it. I personally have carried a knife in my pocket for over 65 years and feel nekid without one. But we all know about security checks so leave it either at home or on the bus or car before trying to enter the building. The one gal ziplock bag is easier to load and to grab at the end of the security check. They only cost a couple cents more but can help speed up the check system. If you had to stand outside in a downpour or a 0 degree snowie windy day I am quite sure you would want the folks in front of you to HURRY UP. My belt buckle has triggered EVERY alarm I have tried to sneek it past, be the buckle a steel or sterling silver one. It is all about getting us inside of the building as fast as possible. At a guess the police said OUR changes this year cut the time by 1/3. Do your part and next year we can have hit the 50% mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Posted March 8, 2012 at 09:02 PM Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 09:02 PM YAS had an idea while we were filing in. Have a coffee can there for people to dump their change in before going through the metal detectors. The change would go to help fund next year's IGOLD celebration . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Gwinn Posted March 9, 2012 at 12:32 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 12:32 AM That loose change idea is going on my list of stuff for next year. Thanks, Lou! (Thanks, Yas!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abolt243 Posted March 9, 2012 at 12:34 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 12:34 AM That loose change idea is going on my list of stuff for next year. Thanks, Lou! (Thanks, Yas!) Great idea! But I believe the rules of the Capitol forbid us to sell stuff on the grounds. How about soliciting donations? Any rules against it?? Just a thought.Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly B. Posted March 9, 2012 at 01:12 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 01:12 AM That loose change idea is going on my list of stuff for next year. Thanks, Lou! (Thanks, Yas!) Great idea! But I believe the rules of the Capitol forbid us to sell stuff on the grounds. How about soliciting donations? Any rules against it?? Just a thought.TimIt would be helpful in getting folks through security but it is not permissible according to Capitol rules. We'd have to do it at the PCCC, it would make a great announcement when passing the bucket but then that might cause people to just donate their change rather than folding money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Harley Posted March 9, 2012 at 01:52 AM Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 01:52 AM Zalewski said unless concealed carry supporters are willing to compromise with Chicago-area lawmakers, he doesn't believe the legislation will pass. GOOD! I'll take constitutional carry any day of the week when we win our court cases. Then it will be THEM that are begging please conceal your weapon. I could kiss you don't be upset if I tell you to keep the skoal ! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:03 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:03 AM That loose change idea is going on my list of stuff for next year. Thanks, Lou! (Thanks, Yas!) Great idea! But I believe the rules of the Capitol forbid us to sell stuff on the grounds. How about soliciting donations? Any rules against it?? Just a thought.TimIt would be helpful in getting folks through security but it is not permissible according to Capitol rules. We'd have to do it at the PCCC, it would make a great announcement when passing the bucket but then that might cause people to just donate their change rather than folding money? Rules? Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules!!! It came up so I thought I'd pass it along. If nothing else I'm gonna hit every sale for the next year and donate the baggies to hand out myself for our next IGOLD/Victory Celebration. Heck, if I believe the NE Illinois media I'll only have to buy a few boxes. \sarcasm mode now off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Harley Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:05 AM Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:05 AM As far as colecting loose change, have cans at the convention center and have people drop all of their change in except 1 quarter before going on the march, once they get at the building there can be a can there for everyone to drop their quarter in before entering and we can use those cans for an accurate count. We kill 2 birds with one stone that way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Harley Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:11 AM Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:11 AM I was typing while you posted, how about the host at the door has one of these http://www.amazon.com/Robic-M-357-Tally-Counter/dp/B0007SXJTO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee n. field Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:45 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 02:45 AM Using the packets for a count will NOT give you a true count. I was at the capitol steps telling folks to put their belt buckles etc in the envelopes to speed up the screening. Trying to think back I would say that 1/3 of the folks in line said "I do not have one of those." sigh. My goodness, how? Kind of hard to miss when you have to run the gauntlet to get into the PCCC, then have the speakers re-iterating "take the packet, fill out the cards...". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadWaterBill Posted March 9, 2012 at 03:17 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 03:17 AM It is a nice idea. Can we get enough volunteers to stay at each and every door of each building and stay there counting till the job is done. I personally think there should be 2 for each door. It takes a loooong time so some relief would be appreciated. Don can you start now collecting names now? Mine also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Harley Posted March 9, 2012 at 03:20 AM Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 03:20 AM Using the packets for a count will NOT give you a true count. I was at the capitol steps telling folks to put their belt buckles etc in the envelopes to speed up the screening. Trying to think back I would say that 1/3 of the folks in line said "I do not have one of those." sigh. My goodness, how? Kind of hard to miss when you have to run the gauntlet to get into the PCCC, then have the speakers re-iterating "take the packet, fill out the cards...". I honestly think Half the people didn't show up in the convention center. I looked around and it looked like maybe 1500 people in there, and when I saw the march I thought holy cow we multiplied by 10 fold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yas Posted March 9, 2012 at 04:10 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 04:10 AM It gets to a point that you may wonder if some of the older salts are skipping some of the speeches and getting a head start at those security lines. Some yellow shirts were heading to the capitol building during some of the speeches. I'm sure they had an appointment with a legislator.... My thoughts on the loose pocket change were to facilitate the line waits. Call it a brass dump. Decide to donate it to something worthy. ISRA legal fund, perhaps shooter education camps for kids. No matter how much I try to prep myself for security I mess up a bit. This year I wore pants with metal snaps on the pockets and some how had about 34 cents in change. Though I swear I de-coined my pockets leaving home. But I hit mcdonalds before the bus (so that explained the change that afternoon) Not a big deal as I was the last person going into the building. But digging around in those giant totes adds time to everybody's wait behind you when your trying to grab those last few coins skittering around in the plastic tote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F12Mahon Posted March 9, 2012 at 10:21 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 10:21 AM I carried a document bag given to me by a local bank. It's big enough for legal size paper and has a spring-loaded mouth to hold open or closed. Everything in my pockets plus my packet went in that and no one could see what I had. Eugene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay W Posted March 9, 2012 at 10:40 AM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 10:40 AM I put everything in my hat and just grabbed it out of the tub and was on my way...well, after they wanded my hip replacement because I set the alarm off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ishmo Posted March 9, 2012 at 01:47 PM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 01:47 PM From yesterday's ISRA press release. Preliminary attendance estimate is 7500+ Read full release here SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 8, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is the text of a statement released today by Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) Executive Director, Richard Pearson:"On behalf of the ISRA and the other co-sponsors of Wednesday's Illinois Gun Owners' Lobby Day (IGOLD), I have to say that we couldn't be happier with the results of our efforts. Our preliminary figures indicate that in excess of 7,500 law-abiding firearm owners flooded the capitol to respectfully lobby their representatives for the restoration of their firearm rights. I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from legislators, capitol staff, and law-enforcement officers regarding the manner in which our people conducted themselves during their visit to Springfield. This praise speaks volumes of just how seriously the firearm owners of this state take this campaign to restore their rights." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xwing Posted March 9, 2012 at 05:15 PM Share Posted March 9, 2012 at 05:15 PM From yesterday's ISRA press release. Preliminary attendance estimate is 7500+ Thanks for posting the link. I was waiting on the count... I had guessed 5000 just based on looking around PCCC. Nice to see I was too low! And I noticed the security lines went much faster this year, even with fewer entrances to use. Lots of people had good ideas on making the lines flow smoother; they really did work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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