02:57A diverse group of heavily armed gun rights activists demonstrated in an annual rally, known as 'Lobby Day,' in support of their second amendment rights. The rally took place in front of Virginia's State Capitol building in Richmond on Monday, while security was stepped up around statehouses around the nation amid the growing possibility of unrest ahead of Inauguration Day.
Though the protesters were heavily armed with assault rifles, bulletproof vests, and more, the demonstration was peaceful. The large number of firearms on display was legal as Virginia is an open-carry state, meaning licensed owners may display their weapons in public.
The demonstrators, who came from many groups on different sides of the political spectrum, all heavily support their right to own guns. "Well, the second amendment protects your first amendment, and that's why we're all here. You see Proud Boys over there, you saw Boogaloo Boys here today, you see Black Panthers over there, you see BLM757, they all wanna keep their guns too, we're all peaceful," stated gun owner's rights activist Billy.
Security measures have been stepped up in all 50 state capitols amid the FBI warning of possible armed protests in the aftermath of the attack on the US Capitol during Biden's election certification by Congress.
USA: Armed demonstrators hold gun rights rally outside Virginia State Capitol building
A diverse group of heavily armed gun rights activists demonstrated in an annual rally, known as 'Lobby Day,' in support of their second amendment rights. The rally took place in front of Virginia's State Capitol building in Richmond on Monday, while security was stepped up around statehouses around the nation amid the growing possibility of unrest ahead of Inauguration Day.
Though the protesters were heavily armed with assault rifles, bulletproof vests, and more, the demonstration was peaceful. The large number of firearms on display was legal as Virginia is an open-carry state, meaning licensed owners may display their weapons in public.
The demonstrators, who came from many groups on different sides of the political spectrum, all heavily support their right to own guns. "Well, the second amendment protects your first amendment, and that's why we're all here. You see Proud Boys over there, you saw Boogaloo Boys here today, you see Black Panthers over there, you see BLM757, they all wanna keep their guns too, we're all peaceful," stated gun owner's rights activist Billy.
Security measures have been stepped up in all 50 state capitols amid the FBI warning of possible armed protests in the aftermath of the attack on the US Capitol during Biden's election certification by Congress.
A diverse group of heavily armed gun rights activists demonstrated in an annual rally, known as 'Lobby Day,' in support of their second amendment rights. The rally took place in front of Virginia's State Capitol building in Richmond on Monday, while security was stepped up around statehouses around the nation amid the growing possibility of unrest ahead of Inauguration Day.
Though the protesters were heavily armed with assault rifles, bulletproof vests, and more, the demonstration was peaceful. The large number of firearms on display was legal as Virginia is an open-carry state, meaning licensed owners may display their weapons in public.
The demonstrators, who came from many groups on different sides of the political spectrum, all heavily support their right to own guns. "Well, the second amendment protects your first amendment, and that's why we're all here. You see Proud Boys over there, you saw Boogaloo Boys here today, you see Black Panthers over there, you see BLM757, they all wanna keep their guns too, we're all peaceful," stated gun owner's rights activist Billy.
Security measures have been stepped up in all 50 state capitols amid the FBI warning of possible armed protests in the aftermath of the attack on the US Capitol during Biden's election certification by Congress.