Thousands of supporters of the right to possess weapons protested "USA! USA! USA! " Monday, January 20 in Richmond, the capital of the US state of Virginia.
Coming early in the morning on a frosty day, they intend to denounce bills restricting access to arms, brought by the Democrats. Several protesters wore orange stickers saying: “Weapons save lives. "
Several thousand people expected in Richmond, Virginia, for this pro guns rally. Some demonstrators… https://t.co/SSvsJJjtCd
Criminal record, chargers
Border state of the capital, Washington, Virginia, with traditions steeped in conservatism, passed in November in the hands of the Democrats. They promised to tackle the laxity that they believe surrounds the control of arms sales, especially after the shock caused by the Virginia Beach massacre, which left 12 people dead, May 31, 2019.
The texts currently under study strengthen the examination of the criminal background of buyers, prohibit magazines of more than ten cartridges and the purchase of more than one weapon per month. They also allow a judge to seize the weapons of individuals considered dangerous. A plan to ban the sale of semi-automatic rifles has, however, been abandoned.
The rally was placed under close surveillance for fear of violent action by far-right groups. Place du Capitole, seat of local government, in front of which the demonstration was held, was placed under very close surveillance, with a large police force and security gates.
Democratic Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency at the rally site on Wednesday. In effect from Friday until Tuesday evening, it prohibits the carrying of firearms (normally authorized in the street) and dangerous objects: baseball bats, chains …
Several far-right movements and paramilitary groups have announced their participation in this “Lobby day” with elected officials, organized by the Virginia Defense League for Citizens (VCDL).
This league denounces what it considers as penknife shots at the second amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees the "Right of the people to possess and bear arms". But this article is subject to differing interpretations and the Supreme Court has limited this right to the home, leaving cities and states to regulate their transportation.
Souvenir of Charlottesville
The protest movement has spread throughout the state and more than 100 counties and localities have declared themselves "Second amendment sanctuaries". Monday's event organizers "Wanted it to be a peaceful event, but they resulted in something more important that they might not be able to control", said Governor Northam.
He spoke of threats "Credible and serious" of "Violence, armed confrontation and attack on the Capitol", as well as "Action plans from militias and racist groups based outside the state".
"We don't want to see a drama like the one in Charlottesville", he warned, in reference to another city in Virginia where clashes between white supremacist and anti-fascist militants had killed one person and injured dozens in August 2017. At the end of the week, the FBI announced the arrest of seven suspected members of a far-right group suspected of wanting to "Create chaos" during the demonstration.
Donald Trump, great defender of the pro-arms lobby, supported the demonstrators. "The Democratic Party in Virginia is doing everything to deprive you of your rights under the second amendment. This is just the beginning. Make sure that doesn't happen, vote Republican in 2020! ", does he have tweeted monday, before take the slogans of the demonstrators.
