Thousands Of 2A Supporters Flood Into Virginia Capital To Protest Democrats’ Gun Control Bills
Thousands of gun-rights activists on Monday flooded into Richmond, Va., for a day-long protest against gun-control legislation being pushed by Democrats in the 2020 Virginia General Assembly.
On Thursday, lawmakers in the state Senate passed an the first pair of bills in a wave of gun-control legislation that is set to come up for votes. One bill would restore the state’s previous one-handgun-a-month rule, while the second would allow local governments to ban guns in public buildings, parks and at permitted events — including political protests. The vote was straight party line, 21-19.
Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a temporary state of emergency, banning all weapons including guns from Capitol Square. He cited “credible and serious threats,” but did not elaborate. But elsewhere in the city, gun owners were seen on Monday with rifles slung over their shoulders and guns in holsters on their belts.
And despite Northam’s warning, the protest is peaceful. See updates below.
There are hundreds of people everywhere standing at the street corners. Not unusual to see MAGA hats and people wearing body cameras @CBS6 #richmondrally pic.twitter.com/8LQTNCBLHf
— Brendan King CBS 6 (@ImBrendanKing) January 20, 2020
It’s about as quiet as it can be this morning. There’s no counter demo on site, so it’s largely gun owners mingling with each other so far pic.twitter.com/Jy3cWpmoY7
— Jared Holt (@jaredlholt) January 20, 2020
It is getting tough to navigate 9th Street with so many people. I often have assault rifles brushing my back or front. pic.twitter.com/XvpObtRbRx
— Alissa Skelton (@AlissaSkelton) January 20, 2020