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Increased security, fear of violence ahead of Virginia pro-gun rally
RICHMOND, United States, Jan 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Thousands of gun rights
supporters will descend Monday on Richmond, the capital of Virginia, for a
rally already under heavy surveillance and a state of emergency declared by
authorities fearing violence by far-right groups.
The demonstrators will gather in front of the Capitol building for a so-
called “Lobby Day” organized by the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL),
which opposes gun control laws proposed by state Democrats, who control the
Virginia government.
The VCDL has condemned what it considers a breach of the Second Amendment
of the US Constitution, which states that “the right of the people to keep
and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The amendment has proved
controversial over the years and has been subject to many different
interpretations.
The Supreme Court has ruled that individuals have the right to keep
firearms in their households, but left it to states to determine how the
weapons could be transported.
President Donald Trump, a major ally of the pro-gun lobby, expressed his
support for the protesters on Twitter Friday.
“Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth
of Virginia,” he wrote. “That’s what happens when you vote for Democrats,
they will take your guns away. Republicans will win Virginia in 2020. Thank
you Dems!”
Richmond was a capital of the pro-slavery Confederacy, and Virginia has
traditionally leaned conservative.
But the state, which adjoins the capital Washington, flipped in November
and passed into Democratic hands. State Democrats promised to tackle what
they considered the laxity surrounding firearms carrying laws, particularly
after a May 2019 shooting in Virginia Beach that left 12 dead.
The new laws under consideration would prohibit magazines with more than
10 rounds, the purchase of more than one weapon per month, and permit judges
to seize weapons from individuals deemed dangerous.
A draft ban on the sale of semi-automatic rifles, however, has been
abandoned.
A backlash to the restrictions has spread throughout the state, and more
than 100 counties and localities have declared themselves Second Amendment
sanctuaries, threatening not to apply the new laws.
– Far-right, paramilitaries –
Security around the Capitol square has been increased, and authorities
have arranged for extra police reinforcements to prevent any misconduct, as
several far-right and paramilitary groups have said they would attend.
Democratic Governor Ralph Northam on Wednesday declared a state of
emergency for the rally site, which has been in effect since Friday and will
continue through Tuesday evening.
Carrying firearms, normally allowed in the streets, is prohibited, as are
dangerous objects such as baseball bats and chains.
“The VCDL (organizers) have intended this to be a peaceful event, but they
have unleashed something much larger that they might not be able to control,”
Northam said.
The governor said they have seen “credible and serious threats” of
“violence, armed confrontation and assault on our Capitol (from) groups with
action plans.”
The groups include out-of-state militias and hate groups, he said.
“No one wants to see an incident like the one we saw in Charlottesville,”
Northam said, referring to another Virginia city where clashes between white
supremacists and anti-racist demonstrators in August 2017 resulted in one
dead and dozens wounded.
At the end of last week, the FBI arrested seven alleged members of the
white extremist group “The Base” suspected of trying to create trouble at the
rally.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1200HRS