Thousands expected to rally downtown in support of 2nd Amendment

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — On Saturday, thousands are expected outside the Indiana Statehouse for a rally about constitutional rights, zeroing in on protecting Second Amendment.

The rally planned in Indianapolis is part of a national effort to have marches and rallies in all 50 states at the same time about the same issue. The rallies are being called the “State Capital Stand for Your Rights 2A Rally.”

The scheduled events come weeks after thousands at the Indiana capitol, and hundreds of thousands nationwide, marched in favor of gun control.

“We’re gathering one to show that normal law-abiding people support the Second Amendment,” said Bill Slike, who is helping host the Indianapolis rally.

Guns have been a part of Slike’s life since he was a young boy.

“I carry pretty much every day when legal,” he said.

When asked why he carries every day, he said, “to be able to have the best tool for self-protection that I can.”

He’s been through extensive safety training and said there’s a problem with the perception of gun culture.

“It’s about being prepared for what could happen,” he said.

The rally comes during a national conversation about gun reform following some of America’s deadliest mass shootings. Lawmakers at federal, state and local levels are talking about possible changes to current gun laws.

“We were coming to the conclusion that just sending letters and just calling the legislators is not getting our message across effectively,” he said.

Last week an Indianapolis City-County councilor proposed a resolution asking state lawmakers to ban assault weapons.

And in Massachusetts a federal judge ruled a state ban on assault weapons does not violate the Second Amendment.

But Slike questions these efforts because he said there are enough gun laws.

“We need to follow them and enforce them,” he said.

“Who is the law going to effect? What is the change actually going to accomplish?”

The event is planned to kick off around 2 p.m. with at least a dozen speakers set to address the crowd, including local, state and federal leaders.