Walsh fires up concealed carry supporters in Huntley

Gun rights advocates pack tea party gathering
By James Fuller

A Huntley tea party gathering Tuesday night may have served as a campaign launching point for Congressman Joe Walsh as much as it did as a public forum on gun rights.

With 14th Congressional District incumbent Randy Hultgren looking on from the audience most of the night, Walsh delivered a series of audience-charging statements that lead to roaring applause. At least one audience member said, “Man, I love this guy.”

Walsh may also have drawn the first battle line of the race between himself and Hultgren by putting the tea party movement ahead of his Republican ballot status.

“The media doesn’t understand this movement,” Walsh said. “The Republican Party doesn’t understand this movement. And maybe it’s a good thing that they don’t.”

Walsh then told an audience filled with concealed carry advocates exactly what they wanted to hear in pledging to be a “cheerleader” for gun rights in Congress.

“We are an embarrassment (in Illinois),” Walsh said. “We are the last state standing when it comes to concealed carry. There’s no issue when it comes to freedom that matters like this, like the Second Amendment. The most important amendment in that Bill of Rights is the Second Amendment. It protects every other amendment. It is the last line of defense between us and our government.”

Walsh said Congress should move to cut off all funding to the United Nations as well as any exploration of restricting gun manufacturing or arms trading through the U.N.

“There’s no way the United States should be restricted by any international law,” Walsh said. “It amazes me that we’re even looking into it.”

Read more at The Daily Herald

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