The signs lined the street as more than 500 people gathered in Modesto, Calif., for a gun-rights rally last Saturday: “No more gun laws.” “We will not comply.” “The 2nd Amendment: America’s original homeland security.”
Event coordinators collected approximately $1,300 for disabled veterans and the Firearms Policy Coalition. More importantly, they gained 300 petition signatures for ballot referendums against anti-gun legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last July.
Several speakers addressed the need to fight for the right to own firearms for self-defense, recreation and competition—including Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson. “We should be electing people to the state and federal government who represent our interests and are more concerned about the people than their own self-serving interests,” the sheriff said. Speaking directly to the gun-control measures, he added, “None of it brings a greater level of safety to our community because the only thing it affects is law-abiding citizens.”
