Updated at 5:20 p.m. Saturday with crowd estimate
A conservative group is hoping that tens of thousands turn out nationwide to show their support for gun ownership with their pocketbooks and picket signs the day before President Barack Obama is sworn in for a second term.
The group, a coalition brought together for the event, declared Saturday as "Gun Appreciation Day." The hope is Americans nationwide will show their support for gun ownership by turning out en masse at gun stores, ranges and shows from coast to coast.
“The Obama administration has shown that it is more than willing to trample the Constitution to impose its dictates upon the American people,” said Gun Appreciation Day Chairman Larry Ward in a press release.
In Wisconsin, a rally that took place at noon Saturday outside the state Capitol in Madison drew more than 500 people, the Journal Sentinel reported.
The organizers of the Wisconsin rally encouraged gun owners to bring their guns to the rally, but are issued some warnings on the rally's Facebook page.
"Please keep weapons holstered at all times. Do not remove your weapon to show a new friend. Capitol police might mistake this for “brandishing” or another reason for alarm," the page says. Organizers also are reminding participants that guns are prohibited inside the Capitol building.
Capitol police said there were no problems on Saturday, the Journal Sentinel said.
The day comes as the gun control debate becomes more divisive. On Wednesday, Obama signed 23 executive actions aimed at curtailing gun violence and called on Congress to make tougher punishments for gun trafficking and place limits on magazine sizes.
The issues is back on the front burner after several recent high-profile mass shootings, including ones at an , at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek and a spa in Brookfield.
"Gun Appreciation Day" is modeled after this past summer's " the answer to a boycott of the fast food chain after CEO Dan Cathy declared his support of what he termed "traditional marriage." According to ABC News, Chick-Fil-A posted record-setting sales during the "Appreciation Day."
A counter event has also been formed by a group called Parents Against Gun Violence (PAGV), which has declared January 19 as Child Appreciation Day.
"Organizing a 'gun appreciation day' so soon after the Newtown Massacre is in poor taste. In response we have decided to promote a 'Child Appreciation Day' to honor our children and the victims of Newtown," said Jennifer Caldera, a member of the PAGV Steering Committee, in a statement to the press.
Gun Appreciation Day is scheduled the day before Obama's second inauguration, and two days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which honors the civil rights leader who was slain in 1968.
Were you at the Madison rally? Add your photos to this article.
I sent you a personal email, and gave you pictures taken at 12:15. Funny how a couple dozen grew to 700+ by then, and over 1,000 by 1pm. Your source is a liar. Sorry.
What exactly is the dirt you and others have on Keith Schmitz about his alcohol consumption? This comes up all the time from you and others. He comes across as a coherent individual with a lot of good points, though which some of us do not always agree with. Please, be the squad point man and tell all the rest of us what the issue is or is it just pure speculation? If speculation, then that is called slander or worse libel.
Conversely ... speaking of theater ... they over report attendance at the less than peaceful rallies by bully blue fist ranters. Why do you suspect they position articles this way?
Obama Inauguration @obamainaugural 30s “We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect.”