Virginia braces for gun-rights rally as worries over violence, hate groups and militias grow
RICHMOND, Va. -- Threats of violence, including claims of a militia storming
Virginia's Capitol and protesters weaponizing drones, have put federal and state authorities on high alert ahead of Monday's
gun-rights rally.
Thousands of people across the country are expected to show up as part of a demonstration demanding
state Democrats drop a push for
comprehensive gun control in the commonwealth.
The fear of violence has spread quickly and has led to heightened security, road closures and a ban on firearms in the Capitol and on its grounds. An event memorializing victims of gun violence, including one honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was canceled due to safety concerns. The
Federal Aviation Administration has banned drones within a 2-mile radius of the Capitol and nearby students at VCU and the Medical College of Virginia have been encouraged to stay indoors.
Virginia Citizens Defense League President Philip Van Cleave told Fox News it's not the pro-gun groups that are stoking fear.
"It's the Democrats," he said. "It's almost like they want something to happen. It sounds crazy, but they keep doing it and you have to start wondering if that's intentional."
Cleave said membership in his organization has tripled in the past six weeks and that 10,000 people have signed up for free email alerts. He attributes the spike in popularity to
Gov. Ralph Northam and Democrats in the state legislature. Van Cleave believes they have "declared war on gun owners" and is counting on gun-rights advocates to show up Monday to have their collective voices heard.
Agreed. Sounds as if Northam and the democrats are simply trying to stoke the fires....
