Pro-gun, anti-violence rallies both held Saturday

HELENA – A pro-gun, free speech rally will be held on the steps of the state Capitol on Saturday, the same day that a student-organized protest against violence in schools will be held across town.

Brent Webber, the organizer of March for our Guns, said his event will be noon to 1 p.m., and called it a grassroots movement to give people who support the Second Amendment to bear arms a platform.

He said he got the idea for the rally about a month ago, adding he wanted to have something that supports First Amendment free speech rights and Second Amendment rights to bear arms.

“We are Montana,” Webber said. “Our voices are not heard.”



Protests have arisen since 17 people were killed Feb. 14 on a Florida school campus. Several "March for our Lives" protests are being held nationwide Saturday in which people are calling for an end to gun violence and mass shootings at schools.



Observances are planned in Great Falls and Helena.

Webber said he feels “terrible” about the people killed, but added outsiders could not push rhetoric on to Montana residents for “legislation that does not fit our bill.”

Among those slated to speak at March for our Guns are Rep. Seth Berglee, R-Joliet, GOP candidate Mark Wicks, who is running for a seat on the public service commission and the Rev. Steve Wagner of Covenant Community Church.

Webber said he expected people to begin gathering at 11 a.m. and to hang around after the speeches until 2 p.m.

He had no guess as to how many people will show up.

“The sky’s the limit,” he said.

“This is a peaceful event, it’s open for dialogue,” he said. “If people want to share opinions, that’s OK as long as constructive.”

Webber said he has told people to leave their weapons at home and said firearms are not allowed on the Capitol grounds and police told him if they see weapons they will shut the event down.

“This event doesn’t represent anything other than respect for people around us,” Webber said.

He added he organized it for the people who have not been heard.

“It really wasn’t about me, it was about people in cabins in the state,” he said. “It’s for the people I call ‘the forgotten,’ who don’t have a voice in the media.”

Also at the same time on Saturday there will be a March for our Lives event in Helena at Memorial Park, 1203 N. Last Chance Gulch in Helena.

Helena Youth Against Gun Violence are calling for a bill to be immediately brought before Congress to address gun issues.

A Great Falls event is planned at noon Saturday at Gibson Park.

The Helena organizers describe their rally as family friendly, and will feature student speakers, Montana political leaders and local talent groups.

Webber said he did not expect any counter protest at his event.

“I expect it could happen, but I have not heard from anyone directly,” he said.

Webber said.

If you go

March for our Guns

Noon Saturday, state Capitol in Helena, 1301 E. 6th Ave.

For more information, go to marchforourguns.com



March for our Lives

Noon Saturday, Gibson Park in Great Falls, 400 Park Drive N

Noon Saturday, Memorial Park in Helena, 1203 N. Last Chance Gulch, https://bit.ly/2FZ3iBy

Reach Phil Drake at 406-422-0772 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.