Libertarian Party of NY -- Right to Keep and Bear Arms

A morning with the Second Amendment Sisters

The Libertarian Party of New York and others in favor of gun rights had a presence at the Million Mom mini-march, held in Chappaqua, NY, on May 14, 2000 from 8AM until about 10:30 AM. The event was held in the name of the Second Amendment Sisters, who organized a nationwide counter-protest.

Flyers were handed out to those who would take them. (Image on this flyer courtesy of Oleg V.) Other flyers were brought by other participants.

A women told me to put away my sign that said 'TRIGGER LOCKS MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFEND YOURSELF.' She said that 'trigger locks aren't on the agenda today.' Sure enough, a speaker on the podium brought up Pataki's proposal for mandatory trigger locks.
—one pro-self-defense marcher

There were a few shouting matches along the parade route, as people took the time to tell us we were on the wrong side of the issue. One Second Amendment Sister reported being the target of a physical attack: a man pushed her, grabbed her signs, and tried to take them away from her. (So much for the other side's stance against violence.)

The speeches at the podium included a NRA member calling for "reasonable" measures to register gun users, and a third-grader who said that "even police shouldn't carry guns." Another person said he was "fighting hard for a gun-free Chappaqua, a gun-free Westchester County, and a gun-free New York State." Hillary was at the march in Washington, D.C. and so she couldn't make it--she sent along a letter that was read to the Chappaqua crowd. Democratic politicians were prominent as anti-gun speakers, and anti-gun attendence at the march was promoted in the public schools.

With about 1% of the attendance of the main group, we still managed to make an impact and get some representation for the 'other side:' the side that realizes that absent a way to remove all guns from all criminals at once, law-abiding people will still need a way to defend themselves.

pictures from film taken by Chris Garvey

Three people with signs: 'Hillary Has Bodyguards/You Don't/Vote Libertarian'; 'None of These Laws Will Stop Criminals From Getting Guns!'; and 'Trigger Locks Make it Impossible to Defend Yourself/SAS/AIM'

A Chappaquan holding a a sign reading 'Smart Guns Will Be As Reliable As Your VCR'

The pro-self-defense crowd (and one not-as-committed friend) milling around.

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