As federal lawmakers focus on gun control, Guns Across America rallies are planned at state houses across the country on Saturday, including in Hartford.
Eric Reed, the national coordinator, is calling for a “peaceful picketing protest against any, and all future gun legislation,” according to a news release from local organizers,
The rallies will take place just days after President Barack Obama signed 26 executive actions and unveiled strict and wide-ranging proposals to cut gun violence, including universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons.
After President Obama's news conference, Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, praised his plans.
"Today the President took the critical first step toward answering that question. The common sense measures he proposed today are something that we should all be able to agree on, and I want to commend him and the Vice President for their work on this issue," Malloy said in a statement.
The National Rifle Association also issued a news release.
"The NRA will continue to focus on keeping our children safe and securing our schools, fixing our broken mental health system, and prosecuting violent criminals to the fullest extent of the law. We look forward to working with Congress on a bi-partisan basis to find real solutions to protecting America’s most valuable asset – our children," the statement says. "Attacking firearms and ignoring children is not a solution to the crisis we face as a nation. Only honest, law-abiding gun owners will be affected and our children will remain vulnerable to the inevitability of more tragedy."
The local group planning the rallies appears to be made up of independent gun owners and around 6,500 people across the country are expected to attend, according to a news release.
A pro-2nd Amendment rally will be held at noon at the state Capitol and has warned people who attend not to carry guns on the property because it is a gun-free zone.
“Everyone must be compliant with the states concealed carry laws depending on where the rally is being held. We would hate to see people arrested for illegal possession of a firearm at a pro-gun rally. That would only defeat the purpose of going,” the group posted.
Photo Credit: NBC10 Philadelphia - Catherine Brown