COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hundreds of Second Amendment supporters came to the statehouse steps Saturday and stood for over two hours to hear Ohio Gun Owners’ Chris Dorr and other gun-rights’ activists talk about the need to push back against gun control legislation. There were no kind words for Governor DeWine or gun groups and legislators supporting DeWine’s agenda of expanded background checks and Red Flag or “Special Protection Order” laws.

In addition to Dorr, key speakers included leaders from Ohioans for Concealed Carry and four State Representatives: Ron Hood (R-Ashville), Candice Keller (R-Middletown), John Becker (R-Union Township) and Tom Brinkman (R-Mt. Lookout).

The event began with Psalm 3, followed by prayer, the pledge and the national anthem, which they noted Francis Scott Key had begun exactly 205 years earlier when he awoke at Fort McHenry to see Old Glory still flying and the British gone.

Men, women and children came clothed in red, white, blue and camouflage. Many of the adults were carrying sidearms, AK-47s and AR-15s.

Flags were everywhere. The American flag was the most prominent, followed closely by Gadsen’s “Don’t Tread on Me” and large Trump banners.

Shirts and signs made clear the crowd’s view of politicians and other gun groups they viewed as supporting or encouraging gun control measures. People expressed their displeasure against former Governor John Kasich, Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted and Buckeye Firearms.

Messages included, “Guns do not kill people, Planned Parenthood does! #WeWillNotComply” and “Don’t fear guns, fear a government that fears your guns.”

One hand made sign read simply “Beto = DeWine,” a reference to Robert “Beto” O’Rourke’s comment in the most recent Democratic debate about government taking away firearms. Arianna Huffington tweeted about his remark, “Biggest applause of the night on O’Rourke: ‘Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15’!”

Biggest applause of the night on O’Rourke: “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15!" #DemDebate — Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) September 13, 2019

The push by all the speakers was for activism. Statistics that supported law-abiding gun owners were shared. Evidence that none of the proposed legislation, particularly red flag laws or expanded background checks, had worked to stop evil people from committing heinous crimes, was cited. And names of anti-Second Amendment legislators were named.

Dorr called out all the Republican House and Senate members who had publicly stated they would support Red Flag Laws. According to Dorr, those legislators are: State Senate President Obhof (R-Medina) and Senators Steve Wilson (R-Maineville), Bob Hackett (R-London), Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), Jay Hottinger (R-Newark), Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), and bill sponsor Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering). Only two House Members have announced their support: State Representatives Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) and George Lang (R-West Chester).

Chris Dorr wrapped it up by telling the crowd, “I’m here to promise you, we will hold these people accountable for everything they do to us. We will not back down, we will never surrender, we will never quit. And God bless you all and thank you for coming.”

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