Thousands of pro-gun activists gathered in freezing weather in the capital of the US state of Virginia on Monday for an annual demonstration in support of the right to keep and bear firearms, urging lawmakers to resist imposing restrictions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The rally in the state capital, Richmond, has taken on increased significance this year and garnered a much larger crowd than in the past, as Democrats gained control over the state legislature in the last election and are planning to enact restrictive laws.
There were fears by the state government that far-right groups were aiming to raise their profile at the annual Lobby Day gun rally, heightening concerns about violence.
However, there was no visible presence of white supremacy groups at the protest.
Anti-government militia groups did attend, some of them heavily armed and masked, but took part without incident.
Further minimising the potential for clashes, left-wing groups and others in favour of gun control largely cancelled their counter-protests amid worries about their safety, though some campaigners were inside the state capital building meeting lawmakers.
President Donald Trump tweeted in apparent support of the rally, saying: "The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights. This is just the beginning. Don't let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!"
Among the many thousands who attended were staunch supporters of the president, some carrying signs that read: "God, Guns, Trump."
Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency, citing concerns over violence, and has banned firearms at the Capitol Square where the event is taking place, though just outside, gun-toting demonstrators were on display.
"No one wants another incident like the one we saw in Charlottesville in 2017," Northam said. He was referring to the Unite the Right rally held by extremists in Virginia, where a left-wing counter-protester was killed by a member of the far-right.
There has been extensive chatter on far-right online forums ahead of Monday's event, which occurs on Martin Luther King Jr Day, a holiday marking the legacy of the black civil rights leader.
Lobby Day is a yearly tradition in Virginia, allowing constituents to meet with state legislators on any number of issues.
Pro-gun protesters are angered by proposals to limit the number of firearm purchases per month and to impose tougher background checks.
Democrats also want "red flag" laws, allowing authorities to quickly seize guns from people deemed potentially dangerous, while their opponents say any such move should be done only with a court order, a process that would take longer.
Australian Associated Press