(Reuters) – A pro-gun rally expected to draw thousands around Viriginia’s capitol building on Monday has authorities bracing for violence, but it also marks shifting battle lines in the U.S. gun debate. Those backing tougher curbs see Democrats taking control of the Virginia legislature for the first time in a generation on campaign promises of tougher access to arms as offering a model for other traditionally gun-friendly states.
Facing off against them are gun enthusiasts. They argue Virginia is stomping on their constitutional right to bear arms and vow that Monday’s rally will help citizens understand how quickly they can lose the ability to carry guns, based on who wins at the ballot box.
“The Virginia election last November was an indictment of guns, and it was not an outlier,” said Christian Heyne, who leads legislative efforts at the gun violence prevention group Brady. “Virginia candidates flipped things on their head when they won because of the gun issue, not despite it. That is a fundamental shift.” FULL REPORT
