Rally brings gun rights advocates to Pa. Capitol
HARRISBURG — A smaller than usual crowd of a few hundred people rallied for gun rights on the steps of Pennsylvania’s Capitol on Tuesday, at an annual event that also was attended by a few dozen state lawmakers.
The Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms constituted a pep rally, provided an update on the gun lobby’s legislative efforts and opposition, and gave those present an opportunity to target Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and other political opponents.
“Gov. Wolf needs to read the Pennsylvania Constitution again,” said state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, a Clinton County Republican. “Every right that has been given to us hinges on the Second Amendment.”
Organizers said rainy weather and the pandemic may have kept down attendance, and there were none of the busloads that have brought much larger crowds in other years. Most of those in the crowd and a majority of state lawmakers did not wear masks.
Mark Opdycke, a retired manufacturing worker wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat, said he drove from his home in Tatamy to show lawmakers that there is support for the Second Amendment.
Opdycke said he keeps guns primarily for “self-defense against an evil government that we haven’t had to use yet.”
State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, received hoots of agreement from the crowd when he said he will introduce a resolution calling for the impeachment of Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
Metcalfe said Peduto is guilty of violating the Constitution by enacting legislation in April that restricts gun use in the city.
Peduto’s bill banned the use of certain assault weapons in the city, created a red flag law in which firearms would be removed from those deemed a risk to themselves or others, and penalized firearm owners if a minor used a firearm with the owner’s knowledge.
Peduto has stated that the more restrictive gun laws in Pittsburgh are to prevent another event like the October 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue.
“He willfully, brazenly and arrogantly violated the law because he doesn’t agree with employing the processes that are in place to change it,” Metcalfe said at the rally.
He said Peduto grossly abused his oath of office and should be removed from office and prevented from holding office again in Pennsylvania.
