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| Gun control opponents hold rallies across the US | Gun control opponents hold rallies across the US |
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| Thousands of gun advocates gathered peacefully on Saturday at state capitals around the US to rally against stricter limits on firearms, with demonstrators carrying rifles and pistols in some places while those elsewhere settled for waving hand-scrawled signs or screaming themselves hoarse. | Thousands of gun advocates gathered peacefully on Saturday at state capitals around the US to rally against stricter limits on firearms, with demonstrators carrying rifles and pistols in some places while those elsewhere settled for waving hand-scrawled signs or screaming themselves hoarse. |
| Activists promoted the "Guns Across America" rallies primarily through social media. Over 18,000 people RSVPed on Facebook, and the rallies kicked off at high noon in 47 states. | Activists promoted the "Guns Across America" rallies primarily through social media. Over 18,000 people RSVPed on Facebook, and the rallies kicked off at high noon in 47 states. |
| The size of crowds at each location varied from dozens of people in South Dakota to 2,000 in New York. Large crowds also turned out in Connecticut, Tennessee and Texas. Some demonstrators in Phoenix, Arizona, and Salem, Oregon, came with holstered handguns or rifles on their backs. In Frankfort, Kentucky, attendees gave a special round of applause for "the ladies that are packin'." | The size of crowds at each location varied from dozens of people in South Dakota to 2,000 in New York. Large crowds also turned out in Connecticut, Tennessee and Texas. Some demonstrators in Phoenix, Arizona, and Salem, Oregon, came with holstered handguns or rifles on their backs. In Frankfort, Kentucky, attendees gave a special round of applause for "the ladies that are packin'." |
| In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over 200 people, mostly white, middle-aged males, turned up to show their displeasure with Obama's 23 new executive orders and his attempt to reinstate the assault weapons ban. | In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over 200 people, mostly white, middle-aged males, turned up to show their displeasure with Obama's 23 new executive orders and his attempt to reinstate the assault weapons ban. |
| Rickie Miller, the first speaker at the rally, wouldn't state his profession, but said it involved carrying guns. "The second amendment gives us the power to establish a militia to overthrow the government if it becomes tyrannical," he added "Yes, I use an AR15 for hunting. It's good for going after coyotes." He uses an M14 for deer because it has a bigger bullet and is very effective. "We have to educate the media. They've got things wrong," he said. "The term 'assault weapon' was coined by those who favour gun control." As for the AR15, "it isn't automatic. Only one bullet is shot every time you pull the trigger, just like all semi-automatic handguns. It is not an assault weapon. If you ban AR15s, then you're opening the door to ban any semi-automatic weapon." | Rickie Miller, the first speaker at the rally, wouldn't state his profession, but said it involved carrying guns. "The second amendment gives us the power to establish a militia to overthrow the government if it becomes tyrannical," he added "Yes, I use an AR15 for hunting. It's good for going after coyotes." He uses an M14 for deer because it has a bigger bullet and is very effective. "We have to educate the media. They've got things wrong," he said. "The term 'assault weapon' was coined by those who favour gun control." As for the AR15, "it isn't automatic. Only one bullet is shot every time you pull the trigger, just like all semi-automatic handguns. It is not an assault weapon. If you ban AR15s, then you're opening the door to ban any semi-automatic weapon." |
| Laura O'Halloran had all the children in the audience join her on stage in sending a message to Obama. She read a letter from a seven-year-old asking the president to allow his teachers and his mother to have guns to protect him. "Children crying out for protection. We will never surrender our guns," she said. | Laura O'Halloran had all the children in the audience join her on stage in sending a message to Obama. She read a letter from a seven-year-old asking the president to allow his teachers and his mother to have guns to protect him. "Children crying out for protection. We will never surrender our guns," she said. |
| In the New York state capital, Albany, about 2,000 people turned out for a chilly rally. Many attendees carried American flags and "Don't Tread On Me" banners. | In the New York state capital, Albany, about 2,000 people turned out for a chilly rally. Many attendees carried American flags and "Don't Tread On Me" banners. |
| Elsewhere on Saturday, five people were wounded by gunfire in accidents at three separate gun shows around the United States. | Elsewhere on Saturday, five people were wounded by gunfire in accidents at three separate gun shows around the United States. |
| On Sunday, gun control advocates plan to hold a "National Gun Prevention Sabbath", where they say 150 houses of worship will advocate a plan to prevent gun violence, and people who have lost friends and relatives to gun violence will display their photographs. | On Sunday, gun control advocates plan to hold a "National Gun Prevention Sabbath", where they say 150 houses of worship will advocate a plan to prevent gun violence, and people who have lost friends and relatives to gun violence will display their photographs. |
| Obama and gun control advocates have begun a push to reinstate a ban on assault weapons in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre. A number of states have taken up gun legislation, and New York, which has among the strictest gun control laws in the country, broadened its assault weapons ban on Tuesday. Obama has also called for a ban on high-capacity magazines and more stringent background checks for gun purchasers. | Obama and gun control advocates have begun a push to reinstate a ban on assault weapons in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre. A number of states have taken up gun legislation, and New York, which has among the strictest gun control laws in the country, broadened its assault weapons ban on Tuesday. Obama has also called for a ban on high-capacity magazines and more stringent background checks for gun purchasers. |
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