By: Ashley Antonini
BLOOMINGTON – Despite harsh winter weather conditions, Bloomington-Normal community members gathered outside the McLean County Muesem of History Saturday afternoon to participate in a March For Our Lives Rally, a movement created and led by students across the country who are demanding stricter gun control.
The Parkland, Fla., school shooting that occurred on Feb.14 served as a catalyst for the movement, when many Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school students spoke out against gun violence.
Thousands of students and their supporters flooded streets at hundreds of rallies around the nation, including Bloomington.
Despite the near white-out conditions, local activist Andrew Pfannkucke was heartwarmed by the turnout.
“I am just glad to see solidarity and to see people here ready to make a change,” said Pfannkucke.
He believes the next step for the movement involves a change in legislation.
“Legslation needs to be passed, constitutional amendments need to be passed. We need to rethink the Second Amendment, entirely,” said Pfannkucke. “We need to pass legislation that prevents things like weapons designed for the sole purpose of murder from getting into the hands of private citizens.”
However, not everyone in attendance approved of this outlook. Nearly a dozen counterprotestors gathered downtown as well.
Executive Director of Guns Save Lives, John Boch, stated that gun owners are going to stand their ground.
“We are out here today to let passers by and mainstream media know that gun owners are not going to lay down universally and stand by as they march to take away our guns,” said Boch.
He feels that a change in the Second Amendment would be a major violation of Constitutional rights.
“There are a whole lot of people in the silent majority in the nation that have a strong belief in gun rights and gun culture. They embrace it. These radicals that are looking to take our guns and our second amendment rights are just that, malcontent radicals.”
Boch said the National Rifle Association will take their argument to the state capital, if necessary.
“One thing is for sure, we, in the NRA, will be in Springfield fighting for our rights while the otherwise is looking to take our rights and to recreate past tyranny,” said Boch.
Despite conflicting views, protectors on each side of the argument remained civil during the rally Saturday afternoon.
Ashley Antonini can be reached at ashley.antonini@cumulus.com.
