Illinois Firearm Rights Rally a Major Success: "The following is the text of a statement released today by Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) Executive Director, Richard Pearson: "On behalf of the ISRA and the other co-sponsors of Wednesday's Illinois Gun Owners' Lobby Day (IGOLD), I have to say that we couldn't be happier with the results of our efforts. Our preliminary figures indicate that in excess of 7,500 law-abiding firearm owners flooded the capitol to respectfully lobby their representatives for the restoration of their firearm rights. I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from legislators, capitol staff, and law-enforcement officers regarding the manner in which our people conducted themselves during their visit to Springfield. This praise speaks volumes of just how seriously the firearm owners of this state take this campaign to restore their rights."


House passes bill allowing licensed Oklahomans to 'open carry' holstered firearms: "Licensed Oklahomans would be able to carry holstered firearms openly under a bill passed Wednesday by the Oklahoma House. The proposal would essentially extend the state's current concealed weapon permit law to include guns carried visibly in belt or shoulder holsters. To qualify for a license under the law, a person must be a U.S. citizen, live in the state, be at least 21, complete a firearms safety and training course, pass a criminal records check, be fingerprinted and pay fees. The measure, written by Rep. Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville, passed on a 85-9 vote. It goes on to the state Senate for consideration. In 17 years, the state has had no problems with the concealed weapons law, and the same should be the case with the open carry law, Martin said. The bill would allow police officers to ask people they see carrying a weapon to prove that they are licensed to do so but would not allow officers to disarm those people unless they are committing some other crime."