RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Hundreds of gun-toting citizens have gathered at the Virginia Capitol to rally for gun rights.
Speakers at Monday's event said tragedies such as the shooting spree in Arizona that wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords are no excuse for "destroying the Constitution." Instead, they called on lawmaker to relax Virginia's gun laws.
Lawmakers are considering just that. Bills before the General Assembly would do away with concealed handgun permits and make permits issued in any state good in Virginia.
A moment of silence was held for the victims of the Jan. 8 shooting in Arizona that left six dead and 13 wounded, including Giffords.
An antigun rally is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
