ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Guns rights advocates waving American flags and carrying signs opposing stricter gun control rallied Saturday on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol.
The event billed as the “Second Amendment Rally” drew an estimated 2,000 people, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. It included representatives from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, the Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance, the National Rifle Association and the state Republican Party.
Participants said they wanted to send a message to lawmakers during the final days of the session that they oppose any gun control legislation.
Lisa Bowman said she attended the rally because she doesn’t believe more gun-control laws would stop mass shootings in the U.S.
“A gun just doesn’t shoot itself,” she said. “We just need to really reach out and start helping people. In Canada we have a man that plowed over people. Ten people died — from his car.”
One man carried a sign that read, “Murder with a gun is already against the law. Ted Kennedy’s 1967 Oldsmobile has killed more people than all of my guns.”
The rally comes after proposals for two different gun control measures were effectively killed by the Republican-controlled Legislature. It also follows Democratic Rep. Erin Maye Quade’s 24-hour sit-in on the House floor meant to show a lack of action this year on gun control legislation.
Republican State Rep. Marion O’Neill of Maple Lake told the crowd that some Democratic lawmakers want more than what they often call “common-sense” gun-control measures.
“Taking guns away from law-abiding citizens is not the answer” to gun violence, she said.
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