Gun-toting Second Amendment rights advocates landed Virginia‘s capital Square on Monday for the state’s annual Lobby Day.
In recent years, the annual tradition has seen large contingents of gun rights activists gather at the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia, to demand the state government repeal gun control laws.
But on Monday, the crowd was less impressive as dozens of members of a pro-gun group, many wearing camo and bulletproof vests and carrying assault rifles, gathered across the street from the Capitol. Some people stood near signs announcing that firearms were prohibited beyond a certain point.
Gun activists chanted about their freedom and, at one point, were seen walking towards the Capitol with their weapons before they were immediately stopped by Richmond police, who calmly told them where the guns were and on campus. not allowed.
No arrests were reported, and by the end of the working day, the protesters gathered their belongings and left.
black lives matter Activists were also at the scene, as were others protesting the vaccine mandate.
In 2020, the Washington Post reports, 22,000 armed advocates from across the country gathered at the Capitol for Lobby Day to protest Democrats’ efforts to pass gun control.
And after Democrats passed legislation to limit weapons on the Capitol last year, gun rights organizers staged a drive-thru protest, honking their guns and passing by.
But this year, with a new Republican governor and a Republican-controlled General Assembly, several bills being proposed would expand gun rights in the state.
Many focus on eliminating some of the costs or penalties associated with gun use and others by allowing civilians to carry guns in more places.
Several gun rights activists at the scene on Monday were present to talk to their state legislators about supporting these types of bills, a change from previous years when they tried to block gun control laws from being passed. .
Moderate crowds of pro-gun activists descended on Virginia’s Capitol Square on Monday for the state’s annual Lobby Day
Dozens of men were seen carrying guns across the street from the state capitol, where guns are banned
Several men dressed in fighter-gear as they waited outside the Capitol
This year saw a smaller gun rights rush than in previous years when they tried to block Democrats from passing gun control legislation.
A man was kicked out in a Republican and Don’t Trade on Me pin because he wore a hat that said ‘Guns save lives’
There was a heavy police presence around the Capitol after the last controversial protest.
Inside the Capitol, the scene was even more cordial, with members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, which organized the protest, wearing button-down shirts, as they met with lawmakers, according to Washington Post.
Philip Van Cleve said, ‘We’ve got the teams going around all the legislation handing out our agenda. CBS News 6. ‘It’s a day where we’re trying to get a bunch of gun controls repealed over the past two years.’
The group was laser-focused on three things they said they wanted the General Assembly to turn into in the new year:
- To repeal the ban on guns in places of worship, preschools and day care
- To rescind local authorities for enforcing gun bans in government buildings, parks and community centers
- Allowing guns to be used inside state agencies like the DMV and the post office.
“We need to take this away and have the state establish a gun law,” Van Cleve said. ‘Therefore, if you know the law of the state, you are good everywhere.’
A man is seen decked out in flower gear as he waved a thin red line flag
Signs were displayed throughout the area that guns were prohibited in the Capitol grounds.
A group of demonstrators defend their truck with guns while collecting food
Gun rights activists form a line around the Capitol holding their guns
Members of Black Lives Matter 757 were also on the scene at the Capitol on Monday
As men guard the street, colleagues inside lobbied for authorities to repeal gun control laws
But Lori Haas, Virginia state director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, hit back at claims that gun laws made Virginians safer.
“We know gun violence is on the rise in the Commonwealth,” she said. ‘Our numbers are skyrocketing.
‘It means we’re not doing enough. I am strongly opposed to repeal,” Haas said, “that repeal efforts are in line with legitimate policies and laws that the General Assembly has passed to make us safer.
‘We all deserve to be free of a form of gun violence, and easy access to firearms and the greater number of places and places where firearms exist has not kept us safe.’
Still, Van Cleve said he was encouraged that Republicans were now in control of the governorship and the General Assembly.
“We need some Democrats, especially in the Senate, to come with us on these things, and we think some of them will because they are bills that make a lot of sense of the self-defense point,” he said. Scene.’
A group of women were also protesting the vaccine order on this year’s lobby day
Members of the local Black Lives Matter chapter are pictured here outside the Capitol
Brandon Howard, 45, collects food while attending lobby day with the Virginia Citizens Defense League
At one point, protesters could be seen marching towards the Capitol, but were stopped by police.
A patch on a tactical vest is seen daring officers to take up their guns during a gun rights rally outside the Virginia State Capitol
After the end of the lobby day, the protesters at the scene gathered their belongings and left
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