Pennsylvania is a wonderful state full of most everything an individual could need or want. Home of two big cities full of different elements that appeal to the urban attracted persons, and boundless amounts of wilderness for outdoor activities. They have a town called Intercourse, so there’s that too. Amish people and cheesesteaks! Pennsylvania, the land of its namesake William Penn, founded the Keystone State so people may exercise freedoms and liberty. The once civil liberty minded commonwealth has been turning deep purple, with the people recently elected a hoodie wearing near-zombie apparatchik to the Senate. Given the flux in the state, it’s been announced there will be a State Capitol Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally on June 12th, 2023.

On Monday, June 12, starting at 11 a.m. on the front steps of the state Capitol, Pennsylvania Senate and House Second Amendment Caucus Chairs Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) and Rep. Abby Major (R-60), along with many other pro-Second Amendment state lawmakers, will join together with law-abiding firearm owners from across the commonwealth for the 2023 Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally.

The theme for this year’s rally (to be held rain or shine) is “United We Stand!”

“In a free society, no law-abiding citizen should be the target for discrimination when they are put into a situation which requires the use of lethal force to defend themselves, their loved ones or others,” said Dush, who has re-introduced Senate Bill 357, which would fully allow for the life-preserving, Constitution-enforced concealed carrying of legally owned firearms.

Klint Macro, the President of the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League and VP of Firearms Owners Against Crime Institute for Legal Legislative and Educational Action and I have been chatting about this rally for a few weeks. Macro had the following to say about the upcoming event:

It is important for gun owners to show their support at the Rally on June 12th in Harrisburg, PA. No matter your interest or lawful use of your firearm; self defense, competition, hunting, recreation, it doesn’t matter, there is an elected official in the halls of government that is willing to strip you of your rights and confiscate your property. Make your voice heard by attending the Rally! Now is NOT the time to expect someone else to stand up for your rights! We all need to do our part. I will see you in Harrisburg!

It’s more important now, than ever, that the people of Pennsylvania make their voices heard and faces shown. The rally will show the unwavering support of Second Amendment advocates to Governor Josh Shapiro. Shapiro, installed just this year, will be a “hold my beer” to former Governor Tom Wolf. Wolf vetoed the previously introduced Senate Bill 357, a permitless carry bill, and Shapiro’s likely to show even less support for the civil right given his shenanigans when serving as Attorney General of the Commonwealth.

“Clearly, the safety and welfare of our citizenry cannot be guaranteed by criminalizing our most fundamental freedoms” said Dush. “This includes senselessly disarming law-abiding citizens in gun-free zones, imposing useless universal background checks or sanctioning the tyrannical confiscation of legally owned firearms through due process-denying, unconstitutional red flag laws.”

This year’s outstanding featured speakers will be nationally recognized right-to-carry advocates, Karise and Jerel Crew, CEO and Founders of That Gun Talk. The couple will share their compelling story of how the most unique brotherhood and sisterhood in the firearms safety training industry originated through “one arrest and a fully loaded Glock with one in the chamber.” This apprehension and subsequent firearm confiscation occurred at the Philadelphia International Airport’s TSA pre-checkpoint, even though both Karise and Jerel possessed valid licenses to carry a firearm and had no previous criminal records.

“Recent action by the House Democrats shows we must stay vigilant in protecting our Second Amendment rights,” Major said. “I encourage everyone to attend this year’s rally to demonstrate to my fellow lawmakers the support that exists for no changes to existing gun laws. Instead, what is needed is enforcement of existing law.”

Established in 2006, this annual grassroots event is in direct support of the Second Amendment and Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution which clearly states: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.”

Barring technical difficulties, the 2023 Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally will also be livestreamed on Sen. Dush’s website and RepAbbyMajor.com/livestreams. You can find more information and download a flyer here.

If you’re from Pennsylvania and are a Second Amendment supporter, make a concerted effort to turn out for the event. While it’s difficult to take time off from work, make childcare arrangements, and just navigate 2023 America, the right to keep and bear arms is under constant attack. Ensuring the government is appropriately petitioned on the people’s views of this constitutional right is so vital. If this right slips through our fingers, our jobs, sustenance, and families will be left completely defenseless from executive and legislative overreach. Should that happen, be prepared to welcome more hoodie wearing drooling brain-dead politicians.

CONTACTS:

For Senator Dush:  Ty McCauslin, Communications Director, 717-787-7084 or [email protected].

For Representative Major: Tracy Polovick, 717-260-6358 or [email protected]