Low turnout today

[Shift]

I knew today would be smaller but I wasn't expecting only about 75 people

 

[Shift]

I say only about 75 people in comparison to previous days, I imagine 75 is more than usual

 

[drblast33]

I knew today would be smaller but I wasn't expecting only about 75 people

I think the snow/rain really put a damper on it. Lots of people were home with their kids, or couldn't travel through the slush to Annapolis.

Plus, I heard the Bay bridge was closed, and I dont know what time that started... but that couldn't have helped.

Not to mention, we are burned out from testifying... and either no one is in their seat, or they dont care about the unprecedented opposition to these bills.

 

[hvymax]

Sorry I couldn't make it today. I think I would have made Smokey look tame if I had to look at Frosh and how futile our efforts are especially in his committee.

 

[esqappellate]

I testified yesterday, but I could not today. I was deterred by 1 1/2 hour drive from Western Frederick County and the forecast. Not to mention getting home last night well after midnight. Of course, the storm was a bust, but who knew.

 

[Ironsighter]

Actually, 75 people is pretty darn good for a bad weather day and the day after a major rally.

I have been coming up with a guy who worked the Virginia legislature. A Virginia pol told him that if three people or small groups turn up in his office to talk about an issue, he thinks it's a big blip on the radar.

Most of the American public are so apathetic that 20 people on top of the professional lobbyists is probably a crowd.

I'm not saying we shouldn't strive to keep the numbers up, but don't get discouraged when our numbers are merely good rather than incredible. We've set a damn high bar for ourselves.

 

[Shift]

Frosh was being a real jerk, 75% of the time he wasn't in the room and when he was in there he wasn't paying any attention. Nancy Jacobs was the only one in there that stayed in her seat and payed attention.

 

[hodgepodge]

I'm grateful to those who went and those who testified.

I'm dealing with a wife awaiting foot surgery. It was a good day to be home.

I did send out some emails.

 

[Shift]

I'm not saying we shouldn't strive to keep the numbers up, but don't get discouraged when our numbers are merely good rather than incredible. We've set a damn high bar for ourselves.

Doesn't discourage me in the least, I plan to make every trip I can. I'm especially proud of the guys who like myself haven't done this before and are really uncomfortable testifying. They are willing to suck it up and step out of their comfort zone for this important fight. I thank you all.

 

[04RWon]

What happened today? Theres to many other threads with other stuff or that have got off topic. What was todays out come? Whats left?

 

[Shift]

What happened today? Theres to many other threads with other stuff or that have got off topic. What was todays out come? Whats left?

These were today's bills, some good testimonies made, most of the Senators weren't there so who knows what will come of it

SB 445 Sen Ferguson, Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Requirements and
et al Limitations
SB 533 Sen Jacobs, et Handguns - School Employees - Handgun Permits and
al Carrying Weapons on School Property
SB 540 Sen Raskin, et Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Reporting
al Lost or Stolen
SB 544 Sen Frosh, et Public Safety - Ammunition - Sales Records
al
SB 646 Sens Jennings Public Safety - Handgun Permit Background Check -
and Klausmeier Armored Car Company Employees
SB 660 Sen Jacobs, et Public Safety - Regulated Firearm License -
al Reciprocity
SB 688 Sen Jacobs State Government - Access to Public Records -
Firearm Ownership Records
SB 786 Sen Pipkin Crim Proc - Crimes of Violnc Involving Firearms -
Diminution Credits, Parole, and Plea Agts

 

[circadia]

What happened today? Theres to many other threads with other stuff or that have got off topic. What was todays out come? Whats left?

The live thread (people commenting as they listened to the audio stream of testimony) was up on the Events board. Today's posts started around page 33 or 34 and run to the end of that thread. https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=109778&page=34

 

[04RWon]

Perfect thank you!

 

[Straightshooter]

I knew I couldn't make it today so I dropped off written testimony at Senator Jacobs office yesterday.

 

[Klunatic]

75 a good number for a snowy day, and about the number that showed up last year on Gun bill day.

 

[Raineman]

Friday 2/6-didn't get in the Senate building until 4PM. NOT because I got there late, but because I was busy knockin' on doors and doing face to face with the legislators.

3/1- #72A - STILL spent all day face to face with legislators on both sides of the street.

3/5- #46C- Knockin' on doors again on both sides of the street, room to room.

Past 3 years- knockin' on doors and testifying for and against other various bills.

I will not make an excuse for not being able to be there today, (or did I just do that?) but I will dang sure thank those that were.

I am not saying that your thread suggest I should. However I know how I have made people feel by saying the same kind of thing.

You say turnout was low. Perhaps as some see it.

Not me. I would bet they expected to see about 7 or 8 of us with the way they feel they have beaten us down and the weather forecast. With 75 (ish...or about 80-90% more than they expected..corrected for the post following mine...or maybe we should ask the media?) showing up, I guarantee it was more than they expected.

You may think it was low, but the numbers were significant, and as has been stated, not just one of us submitted early written testimony.

 

[davek]

I'm not sure 75 people showed up despite the Federal Government having been closed at 6:00AM... I understand perfectly the western areas were being hit hard, especially by mid-morning. I understand that schools were closed and that made going to Annapolis difficult, but I thought maybe ...

For myself I left western Howard County at around 11:30 when it was snowing very hard. When I got to Rt32 and Rt70 the road was just wet. By the time I passed NSA it was just rain. I got to Annapolis in record time. No cars on the roads. I parked in the Navy parking lot with maybe 10 cars ... I was #62 testifying and I was just about the last person to do so...

I do think people are sick of seeing and hearing us. To be honest it's getting old for me too. You can only hear Patrick Henry speeches so many times. I do however believe we are having an impact. It's too bad that most have given up on this as a done deal. I think many people in Annapolis are impressed with our conduct and demeanor from the security folks, to the office workers, to the legislators themselves. I believe among other things we've brought spirited debate, candor, and quite frankly excitment they probably haven't seen in years, all in a nice, cordial, well regulated militia way. I think we've enlivened Annapolis and the workers there who see the vigor and understand again the importance of their supporting roles in our Government. I saw ordinary citizens, who work for our government, smile in a way validating the work they do.

So, please no Patrick Henry speeches, just calm, unemotional logic on how this impacts you personally and how you feel. The legislators (I think) are in a tough place. They KNOW they just HAVE to do something. Give them ideas of what to do w/o condescending, acusatory tones and fingerpointing. Find bills that are reasonable if they have tweaks and offer the tweaks. Find bills you support and tell them what you support. For bills you don't support tell them what you don't support and why. Tell them in plain language how well intentioned legislation might be abused and consequently criminalize you. Thank them for their long days. (let's be honest 8+ hours of listening to the same old crap and I'd be surfing the web too).

 

[Inigoes]

Today, there 75 more people testifying for our side, than there were antis willing to come out in the weather.

 

[Bolts Rock]

Work was closed, weather iffy but doable, muscle spasm in my neck making me super cranky however would not have been good.

 

[Nixon]

You know, two or three years ago turning out 75 people for our big pro 2A in Annapolis would have been considered good. My how times have changed.