RICHMOND, Va. — Thousands of Second Amendment supporters carrying long firearms and wearing stickers reading “Guns Save Lives” descended upon Virginia’s Capitol in Richmond Monday for a widely publicized rally to protest a recent push by state Democrats for comprehensive gun control.
The rally comes as the city has been on high alert for days following threats of violence, leading to road closures as well as a ban on firearms in the Capitol and on its grounds. Yet as of midday Monday, the demonstrations were peaceful.
“If they can come for your guns in Virginia, they can come for them in West Virginia,” demonstrator Annette Parker told Fox News, noting that she drove six hours to get to the event.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/virginia-capitol-gun-rights-rally
Demonstrators are seen during a pro-gun rally, Monday in Richmond, Va. (AP)
The throngs who gathered in Richmond Monday were heard in large groups reciting the Second Amendment in unison, while others broke out in chants of “we will not comply!”
SECURITY MEASURES HEIGHTENED AS RALLY EXPECTED TO DRAW BIG TURNOUT
When one speaker asked the crowd if they were ready for gun control, the crowd yelled back, ”No!”
Other speakers, like Republican Delegate John McGuire III, used the event to drum up support for President Trump, who tweeted days ago, “Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia.”
“Let me hear if you’re sick and tired of Republicans who do not support President Trump,” McGuire said, revving up those in attendance.
Virginia State troopers stand near a security checkpoint at the Capitol grounds in Richmond. (AP)
The president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League – the nonprofit organizer of the rally – told Fox News that it wasn’t the pro-gun groups who had been stoking fear of potential violence at the event.
“It’s the Democrats,” Philip Van Cleave said. “It’s almost like they want something to happen. It sounds crazy, but they keep doing it and you have to start wondering if that’s intentional.”
Stacks of chain-link fencing, white tents and rows of metal detectors were in place early Monday morning as some demonstrators began making their way inside the Capitol grounds. But many instead decided to stand outside the security perimeter with their guns.
Others were seen carrying American and Gadsden flags, while some were passing around petitions demanding the ouster of Gov. Ralph Northam, the state’s Democrat leader.
VIRGINIA BRACES FOR RALLY AS WORRIES OVER VIOLENCE, HATE GROUPS AND MILITIAS GROW
Members associated with the Light Foot Militia, some of whom were banned from Charlottesville, Va., following the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally, were expected to attend Monday’s protest. Richard Spencer, a prominent white nationalist, has indicated he might make an appearance.
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Last week, three gun control-related bills advanced in Virginia’s General Assembly, setting the stage for a contentious showdown between gun rights advocates and the Democratic lawmakers, who campaigned on bringing changes to the state following last year’s mass shooting at a Virginia Beach municipal complex.
The bills that sailed through the Senate Judiciary Committee propose to require background checks on all firearms purchases; allow law enforcement to temporarily remove guns from people deemed to be a risk to themselves or others; limit handgun purchases to one a month; and let localities decide on whether to ban weapons from certain events. To become law, the bills would have to pass the full Senate and the House of Delegates before going to the governor for his signature.
Demonstrators stand outside a security zone before a pro-gun rally in Richmond, Va.
In a symbolic sign of defiance, more than 100 municipalities in Virginia have designated themselves as a safe haven or sanctuary for the Second Amendment. Lawmakers and authorities in those areas have said they will refuse to enforce new gun control laws the Virginia Legislature passes.
NORTHAM’S VIRGINIA CAPITOL WEAPONS BAN UPHELD BY JUDGE AHEAD OF PRO-GUN RALLY
The state’s only self-proclaimed socialist Democrat, Lee Carter, has said he will be heading to an “undisclosed location” to work Monday instead of the Capitol.
“People were threatening to murder me and murder my family over something I’m not even doing,” Carter told multiple media outlets ahead of today’s rally. “These threats are more hateful and more numerous than anything I’ve seen before. I mean, I’m the only socialist elected to a legislature in the South, so I do occasionally get waves of death threats — about every two three months it’ll happen — but this one is far larger and far more serious than anything I’ve seen before by orders of magnitude.”
Carter said he has reported the threats to the Virginia Capitol Police.
Second Amendment supporters gather on Bank Street outside the Virginia state capitol on Monday. (AP/The Virginian-Pilot)
But some demonstrators in Richmond tell Fox News he should make an appearance.
“I think it’s ridiculous a former Marine would stay at home,” said Angela Darton of Fairfax County. “If he’s so anti-Second Amendment, you’d think he’d make an effort to be here.”
Monday’s rally is part of Lobby Day, an annual event in Virginia where advocates of a variety of causes descend on Richmond’s Capitol Square to plead their cases to legislators. Gun rights advocates have shown up in past years but the turnout Monday has grown astronomically.
Credit: Fox News
100,000…..
Responsible, legal gun owners should be on the side of promoting gun safety!
Theresa Loggia Kovacs it’ll be like taxes…give a little until there’s nothing left
Theresa Loggia Kovacs they are
That there
To take issue on safety issues.
Legal gun owners are responsible gun owners. What were Virginia voters thinking putting Democrats in charge, they want to close SHOOTING RANGES as well, They have turned VA into NJ, well done. It,s not legal gun owners you need to be worried about, it’s criminals with illegal guns.
Tim Reid ????
Tim Reid I live in New Jersey n I approve of this message
They are there supporting safety. The policies the Virginia’s new governor wants make everyone less safe.
Theresa Loggia Kovacs promoting gun safety? They want to confiscate all the guns in Virginia even from responsible gun owners . Shut down all shooting ranges. Take away the right for people to own a firearm. One state achieves it it’s all down hilll
I dont see anything unreasonable in these proposals. Why would someone be against background checks? And who needs to buy more than 1 gun a month? I can only shoot one at a time and dont feel the need to keep an arsenal in my home.
Theresa Loggia Kovacs doubt all or even half are responsible
Sam Pepe not what the bill says. Totally misinterpreted. No way to “take all the guns” and no amendment says the word nor implies the word “gun” my dude
Tim Reid no repost states a single democrats has said they want to shut down the 90 shooting ranges in Virginia
Sam Pepe no, they don’t. Stop spreading falsehoods
Richard William Wetherby untrue
Tim Reid explain to me, with rational thought, why a responsible gun owner needs the same grade weapon used by the military? I’m all for hunting rifles, shotguns, etc – but military grade assault rifles? Explain please.
Anthony Dispoto no such thing as an asault rifle
Tim Reid N.J. has shooting ranges!
Janet Strine that’s your prerogative. Doesn’t mean everyone has to do what Janet does. Read the constitution
Anthony Dispoto this is the problem. You don’t even know what an assault rifle is or you wouldn’t be asking for an explanation
Every legal gun owner is a responsible gun owner? That’s quite a claim…????
Anthony Dispoto here’s the explanation: it’s the bill of rights not the bill of needs.
Theresa Loggia Kovacs god you are stupid
Drew Lawrence typical. Disagree and bam! Get called a name. Smh.
Did anyone get shot there today? Sounds like it was pretty safe to me.
Al Brander same ????…my guns are safe, never jumped out and shot anyone lol
Al Brander Al Brander same ????…my guns are safe, never jumped out and shot anyone lol
Anthony Dispoto because a well-regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state. Duh!
All those people and no violence. ????????
Time for a march on Trenton
You mean invade trenton
A bunch of people with no jobs. Go to work bums
Salty Salvatore uhh…today was a holiday…
Christina Melisi I worked today actually.. what would you know about Martin Luther king and black struggle? You don’t deserve this select holiday off
Its was a holiday today …pull your head out of your A$$ and get a clue …TRUMP 2020
Lol why reply to a guy whose name is “Salty” Lmfao he’s clearly a true troll with his 3 friends hahaha
That’s your problem lol I have one of those real good union jobs ????
Siobhan Jackson and right? Whatever…I mean there’s PTO and shit too so it’s not like people don’t have jobs.
Salty Salvatore neither do u.
Christina Melisi not for most jobs
First step to communism. Disarm the public. We all know communism is the long term goal of the Democratic party.
Georgina Louise and the Holocaust.
When the government tells you that you don’t need a gun…… You need a gun
Peaceful rally ???? Yay 2A ????????
There’s a new sheriff in town.
Tom Blomquist no. There’s a new politician with an agenda in town. Virginia’s sheriff’s were out protesting against this unconstitutional gun grab.
Cristine Schrantz Porter let me clarify…. the citizens are back in control.
The demonstrations were peaceful and they picked up all their own trash.
So all the dems must really look like a bunch of whiny bithes not one thing went wrong
Why is it that when we protest it’s “dozens” when Virginia shows up its thousands…God it was probably tens of thousands with the way the media reports
Sure take all the guns away from law abiding citizens so that only the criminals have them . Yeah that’s makes sense. They are just trying to make us defenseless.
Rally is over, all is peaceful. Not a single incident to report.
I wonder why antifa and the rest of the freaky weak spineless anti gun protesters were so quiet?