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Thousands Hold Peaceful Pro-Gun Rally in Virginia

VOA News

   Thousands of gun-rights activists, including armed militia members,
   rallied peacefully Monday in the capital of the southeastern U.S. state
   of Virginia in opposition to proposed gun control regulations.

   Despite fears the rally could turn violent, the protest ended without
   reports of incidents or arrests. Reporters at the rally say the mood
   was mostly festive, with demonstrators chanting "USA, USA." Many in the
   crowd wore clothing with slogans supporting President Donald Trump.

   Ahead of the rally, security was increased around the state Capitol in
   Richmond, where a state of emergency is in effect until Tuesday.
   Virginia Governor Ralph Northam last Wednesday issued the declaration
   which barred all weapons from Capitol Square to prevent "armed militia
   groups (from) storming our capitol."

   Guns were still allowed outside Capitol Square, and many people
   attending the rally came to Richmond carrying their rifles.

     Guns may be outlawed on [1]#VaCapitolSquare but plenty outside of
     the fence [2]#VirginiaRally [3]#GunRightsRally
     [4]pic.twitter.com/1sS2YHcyu1
     -- Carolyn Presutti (@CarolynVOA) [5]January 20, 2020

   Austin White, an armed protester, told VOA the demonstration is meant
   to "show that people can peacefully assemble and be massively armed and
   nothing is going to happen."

   "Guns save people's life on a daily basis, but it is never perpetuated
   on the news," he said.
   Madison Graf from Lynchburg, Virginia, attended the rally with her
   young family.

   "It's not just our rights, it's our future kids' rights, as well. '¦
   The criminals aren't going to turn in their guns, so why should we?"
   she said.

   Democratic lawmakers, who recently gained control of both houses of the
   state legislature, have made passing tougher gun control laws a central
   focus.

   The Virginia Senate approved legislation late Thursday requiring
   background checks on all firearm sales and limiting handgun purchases
   to one a month. The Senate also passed a bill to restore the rights of
   local governments to ban weapons from public buildings and other
   venues.

   Activists at the rally, organized annually by the Virginia Citizens
   Defense League, say the new laws infringe on their right to bear arms.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaCapitolSquare?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   2. https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginiaRally?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   3. https://twitter.com/hashtag/GunRightsRally?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   4. https://t.co/1sS2YHcyu1
   5. https://twitter.com/CarolynVOA/status/1219250167649652737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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