RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – Thousands attended a pro-gun rights rally on Virginia’s State Capitol grounds today amid a heightened security presence to speak out against gun control measures being considered by the state legislature.
Protestors, including heavily armed militia groups in tactical gear, braved freezing temperatures and came from as far away as Wisconsin and South Carolina to make their voices heard.
Many of the demonstrators carried handguns, semi-automatic rifles, and shotguns.
“We’re here because we think our second amendment rights are being infringed upon and we want to show our displeasure with that and send a message that we want our rights maintained,” said Bob McDonald, 58, of Virginia.
Gov. Ralph Northam last week declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the event, and temporarily banned weapons from the Capitol grounds, citing the potential for violence and threats from various hate groups to disrupt the protest.
Leading up to the rally the F.B.I. arrested six men with ties to a neo-Nazi hate group who had discussed attending the rally, stoking fears that the event could turn violent.
Despite the concerns, no arrests were reported, according to local law enforcement.
“Gun owners of Americans are some of the most law abiding people you will find… We don’t come out here to cause trouble,” said Doug Austin, 52, from Virginia Beach. “There’s not going to be any trouble today. Everyone here is perfectly safe. The police officers are safe.”
The three gun control measures passed by the Virginia Senate would limit handgun purchases to one per month, allow local governments to ban firearms from certain public spaces during events and pass universal background checks.
The two most controversial pieces of gun control legislation, a red flag law and a ban on assault weapons, did not pass the Senate.
Opposition to the assault weapons ban and the red flag law were the bills that generated the most opposition and became the catalyst for the protest, according to Brandon Brod, 44, a member of the Virginia Civil Defense League, the group which organized the event.
Brod said of the proposed assault weapons ban, “It did start all of this though. I think if it wasn’t out there you won’t see (all these people at the rally).”
The event also drew members of the far-right, including conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who enjoyed a celebrity status among many attendees.
“This is the heart of 1776… exercise your first amendment rights today so we don’t have to exercise our second amendment rights later,” said Jones to cheers from the crowd.
Some protestors hinted that if gun control measures continue to be passed, there would be an escalation in the level of conflict.
“The Democrats are going to push until people just aren’t going to take it anymore and it will have to be dealt with the hard way,” said Dan Garrett, 63, a messianic Jew who wore a yarmulka emblazoned with “Trump 2020,” and a tzitzit.
When asked if he thought the rally would change anything, Garrett was doubtful.
“No, the Democrats are hardened in their hearts about it just like the pharaoh was about keeping his slaves in Egypt. If anything they’ll be even harder against it.”
Others echoed the sentiment.
“We’re here to make sure the government listens,” said J.L. Arnold, 56, who drove from Wisconsin to attend the rally and is a member of the Wisconsin chapter of the Three Percenters militia group. “If gun control activists continue on the path they’re on, there’s no room to talk.”
The rally was held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, known as Lobby Day in Virginia, a day traditionally used to protest.