Gunstock in Utah

Candace Salima - Dave Bray - Terry Kohler

What an amazing day it was in Lehi, Utah yesterday. Gunstock, organized and sponsored by Utah Guns, was a gathering of pro-2nd Amendment of 500 to 600 patriots from across the valley. The weather was beautiful with the sun high in the sky and the wind blowing at Thanksgiving Point. I  made a point of arriving early so I could get a good seat, my favorite band would be performing.

At the pavilion, while I listened to Madison Rising warming up, I looked out beyond Thanksgiving Point and saw the snow capped mountains surrounding us against a brilliant blue sky. The grass was greening, many wonderful pro-Constitution businesses were there supporting the rally, and all around me were like-minded Americans all standing up for their 2nd Amendment rights. It seemed as if all were either carrying concealed or open. I was wearing my Ruger in a holster on my hip. What a day it was.

KNRS' Rod Arquette was the MC for the day and I came away with a new and deeper found respect for the man. 

Dennis Kennedy of the Counterterrorism Institute of America led out the speakers with a strong pro-2nd Amendment speech. I've heard he's called the "drone whisperer", while he's decided I should be called the "eagle whisperer". This is in reference to the last rally I spoke at. Two or three minutes into my speech a bald eagle began circling overheard, it's cry echoing across the Capitol. The entire crowd was held captive at the sight and it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Anyway, I digress.

We heard from Utah's Representative Brian Greene who spoke about the pro-2nd Amendment legislation that had made its way through the legislature this last session. HB76, the Constitutional Carry Law, is now on the governor's desk. HB114, the 2nd Amendment Preservation Act, was help up by President of the Senate Wayne Neiderhauser, who was rumored to have been pressured by Governor Gary Herbert to not allow it to go to the Senate floor for a vote. And somehow, it didn't make it to the Senate floor before the clock ran out on this session. Thank goodness we have our Utah Sheriffs because Neiderhauser and Herbert are definitely standing in the way!

The guy on Utah's Capitol Hill known as the "gun guy", Representative Curtis Oda, also spoke to us. He too talked about what was going on up on there. A ridiculously cool 86% (don't quote me on that number, I'm a little fuzzy on the actual number) of our representatives are Concealed Carry. And Utah leads out on the nation on that. And apparently, a group called NAGR has made themselves persona non grata in Utah. Among the strongest of our 2nd Amendment supporters on the hill are Curits Oda and Brian Greene, and NAGR has been making ridiculous accusations at them, all of which are blatantly false.

Utah Guns presented the Utah Sheriffs Association with a brand new AR-15 in appreciation for the astounding letter they wrote and sent to Barack Obama warning him that they will stand for the constitutional rights of Utah citizens. They closed that letter with:

"We respect the Office of the President of the United States of America. But, make no mistake, as the duly-elected sheriffs of our respective counties, we will enforce the rights guaranteed to our citizens by the Constitution. No federal official will be permitted to descend upon our constituents and take from them what the Bill of Rights—in particular Amendment II—has given them. We, like you, swore a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and we are prepared to trade our lives for the preservation of its traditional interpretation." Utah Sheriffs Association

The crowd roared as that last paragraph was read, and again when Sheriff Jim Tracy of Utah County said "We are not the first responders, you are." We have turned into a society that refuses to defend itself, relying solely on the police, who can only come AFTER the commission of the crime. Sheriff Tracy was making it clear that he expects us to defend ourselves whenever possible AND call the police.

Then we were treated to about six or seven songs from Madison Rising. High Energy, great music, freedom inspired rock 'n roll, I was in heaven. Dave Bray, the lead singer, served our nation in the U.S. Navy and is an Iraq War veteran. This band loves America so much and should become known as America's band. Outside of The Star Spangled Banner, which I've posted on this blog before, they sang a song called Right to Bear that I fell in love with.

Another song they sang, which I could only find a live recording of, was called "American Dream". I wanted  to share it with you here as well.

After Madison Rising was done performing, then Congressman Chris Stewart spoke to us. Chris first came across my horizon when he published The Great and Terrible Series. I devoured them, reading one after the other as quickly as I could. Then he published Seven Miracles That Saved America: Why They Matter and Why We Should Have Hope and 7 Tipping Points That Saved the World and I became a fan. Last year, Chris decided to run for Congress and won. 

Congressman Stewart spoke about the ridiculousness of government at times, the U.S. Constitution, and American exceptionalism. Specifically, he addressed the concern that American patriots became discouraged over the last election. He shared a story with us about Mother Theresa who died the same weekend as Princess Diana. Take a guess which one was more widely covered, the princess or the saint.

Stewart spoke of one particular interview where the reporter asked Mother Theresa if she was discouraged that nothing she did had mattered, going on to explain that Calcutta was still poverty stricken and India still poor. This very wise woman responded to this ridiculous, and very rude, question with, "I am not required to be successful, I am required to be faithful." Stewart drew that correlation to the American patriot and asked us to keep fighting that good fight.

I walked away from Gunstock energized, happy, and ready to begin the battle anew to finally, once and for all, defeat the disease of liberalism that is eating away at common sense and the American Dream. My most profuse thanks to Utah Guns for standing for our 2nd Amendment Rights along with the host of other companies who joined us there,  including the food storage company Food Storage Chef, who has some of the yummiest food out there. Rock on, America!

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. 

2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution

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Copyright 2012. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.