GUN APPRECIATION RALLY Hundreds Gather At Capitol In Support For Gun Rights
Reported by: Katy Brown
Videographer: Katy Brown
Web Producer: Katy Brown
Reported: Jan. 19, 2013 2:36 PM EST
Updated: Jan. 19, 2013 5:18 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
Delegate Joshua Nelson and hundreds of gun supporters rallied at the state capitol Saturday morning.
"We've heard this term getting floated around a lot that everything should be on the table," said Nelson, "And I agree that some things should be on the table, but down in West Virginia when it comes to gun rights the only that's on our table is dinner."
But on Saturday, support for gun rights was on front and center in West Virginia all to celebrate Gun Appreciation Day.
Nelson says he sees now more than ever as a time in America where people feel their rights are being infringed upon.
It's an opinion shared by many of those in attendance.
"I'm very concerned about the knee jerk reaction to this catastrophe in Connecticut," said Frank Tumas, who rallied Saturday, "People are talking about gun control and they're missing the whole point of the second amendment I believe."
Tumas believes the 2nd Amendment has only one thing to protect.
"The reason we have a second amendment is not so we can hunt, it's not so we can protect our homes. It's so we can protect ourselves against an overbearing government."
And since the shootings in Aurora, CO and Newtown, CT, discussion about gun control and banning has been at the top of many lists.
But Nelson says it's a move than would punish many for a crime they did not commit.
"We do not feel our gun rights should be infringed upon because of the actions of evil people. I fully support looking into ways to curve gun violence but taking rights away from law abiding citizens, hard working people is not right."
Rallies like the one in Charleston were held across the nation.
But no matter the state, no matter the city, those in attendance have one thing they hope the public and government hear loud and clear.
"The message to the public," said Tumas, "is leave our guns alone because we're not giving them up."
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