Image from the front page of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners

A coalition is being assembled to march on Washington to deliver to Congress, the president and even the U.S. Supreme Court a message that the Second Amendment is critical as the single right that allows Americans to ensure continuation of all of the others.

The march is being spearheaded by the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, but also is being coordinated with the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of American, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownerships, Second Amendment Foundation, Virginia Citizens Defense League, Ohioans for Concealed Carry, Virginia Shooting Sports Association and others.

Plans tentatively are for tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of people to assemble in Washington next spring, in 2010, to demonstrate broad national support for the recognition and preservation of the Second Amendment.

"In the wake of last spring's D.C. vs. Heller U.S. Supreme Court decision which protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for private use and the renewed importance placed on the issue of gun rights across the country, the time is ideal for this historic gathering of gun owners at our national and state capitols," said state Sen. Alan Cropsey, a member of the Michigan organization's board of directors.

(Story continues below)

"Our lawmakers need to understand that America's gun owners come from all races, genders, political viewpoints and economic backgrounds," said Chuck Perricone, MCRGO's executive director.

The event is the brainchild of Michigan author Skip Coryell, who runs White Feather Press.com.

He has related how he got an e-mail from a distraught woman in Belgium, horrified by a knife attack at a daycare facilities where workers have been stripped of arms by a draconian gun ban.

And then there are the events in recent weeks in which there have been discussions to require federal licenses for handguns and limit access to ammunition, among other things.

"This is the beginning of a period of historic change in our nation's history and it is no time for the timid. This is a time for brave men and women to stand up and be counted," Coryell said. "We want our children to inherit the same freedom our forefathers knew. Freedom has to be protected or it will fail. We are at a crossroads. The time to act is now."

The Michigan group is assembling partnerships with other groups with similar concerns for a daylong rally which is intended to occur simultaneously with events at state capitols across the nation.

The website explains the group mission is "to galvanize the courage and resolve of American gun owners, to petition our elected officials against establishing anti-gun legislation; and to remind America that the Second Amendment is necessary to maintain our right to self defense."

Coryell told WND in just seven days since suggesting the plan he's seen a literal flood of supportive e-mails.

The emotions have ranged from downright paranoia about federal agents knocking down doors to confiscate guns to worry about a lack of access to weapons even by people who don't own them.

"I think the majority of people are just saying, 'I am fed up. I am sick and tired of the government telling how to run my life."

"I think people … understand the Second Amendment is the one right that protects all the others," he told WND. "Freedom of speech, press, religion. If we don't have a right to keep and bear arms how are we going to protect the others?"

---

Special offers:

When it's time to shoot back – Get 'Armed Response,' the guide to firearms, self-defense

Perfect gift for pistol-packin' mama – 'Stayin' Alive' shows guns are indeed for girls

"Shooting Back: The Right and Duty of Self-Defense"

 

---

Previous stories:

Legislators tell feds to back off

Gun trial witness: Feds out for 'vengeance'

Gunmaker to feds: Give me my firearm!

'Broken gun' appeal cites government's own witnesses

Gunmaker to feds: Make my day!

Gun expert claims feds punishing him

Owner of broken rifle surrenders for 30-month sentence

30 months in jail for broken gun

Drill instructor convicted after rifle jams

Bloggers attack feds after agent forgets gun in airport

BATF rebuked for attacks on gun dealers

Gun shop: Complaint could have been ruse

Gun-shop owner gets 'breath of fresh air'

'Blog' puts fear into gun shop inspectors

New gun control: Shut down shops

Your doctor could put you on no-gun list

Expert offers teachers free weapons training

State quashed bill allowing handguns on campuses

Trial will debate 2nd Amendment rights

Buy a house, get a gun free

New use for schoolbooks: Stopping bullets

New Yorkers rally for 'illegal' guns

Clinton-era war on guns revealed

U.N. gun confab ends in frustration

The U.N.: Gunning for more power

NRA warns of U.N. gun control

Michael Douglas backs U.N. gun ban

'Anti-gang' bill endangers gun rights?

County drops homeowner gun charges

 

---

Related commentaries:

The history of gun control, part 2

The history of gun control, part 1

Guns, the devil and God

Our God-given right of self-defense

Where gun control leads

People power, not police power

Why citizens must own and carry firearms

Self-defense risky? Try the alternative

How often do Americans use guns for defensive purposes?