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Demonstrators Who Brought Guns and an Opposing Message Demonstrators Who Brought Guns and an Opposing Message: ‘Shoot Back’
(35 minutes later)
SALT LAKE CITY — Dallas Johnson, 18, stood at the top of a hill here on Saturday, flanked by men with pistols and children gripping protest signs.SALT LAKE CITY — Dallas Johnson, 18, stood at the top of a hill here on Saturday, flanked by men with pistols and children gripping protest signs.
He held a pole, and a giant flag flapped above him, bearing a rifle and a message in black: “Come and take it.”He held a pole, and a giant flag flapped above him, bearing a rifle and a message in black: “Come and take it.”
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in cities on Saturday calling on officials to enact stricter gun laws, but they were not the only ones to demonstrate.Hundreds of thousands of people marched in cities on Saturday calling on officials to enact stricter gun laws, but they were not the only ones to demonstrate.
Across the country, supporters of the Second Amendment gathered at state capitals and in city centers, hoping to counter the swell that has emerged in the wake of a February massacre that killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Fla. Their message in many cases was that the surviving Parkland students have it all wrong — more guns, not fewer, is what will end the violence that has ripped through so many American communities.Across the country, supporters of the Second Amendment gathered at state capitals and in city centers, hoping to counter the swell that has emerged in the wake of a February massacre that killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Fla. Their message in many cases was that the surviving Parkland students have it all wrong — more guns, not fewer, is what will end the violence that has ripped through so many American communities.
“What can we do to stop mass shootings?” said one of the many signs at the rally here. “SHOOT BACK.”“What can we do to stop mass shootings?” said one of the many signs at the rally here. “SHOOT BACK.”
In Montana, more than 100 supporters of gun rights gathered at the state Capitol in Helena, where several children held a placard declaring students in gun-free zones to be “sitting ducks.” In Arizona, Second Amendment proponents carried rifles through Phoenix, sometimes clashing with other protesters. In Salt Lake City, the rally drew 500 participants, according to an estimate by the police.In Montana, more than 100 supporters of gun rights gathered at the state Capitol in Helena, where several children held a placard declaring students in gun-free zones to be “sitting ducks.” In Arizona, Second Amendment proponents carried rifles through Phoenix, sometimes clashing with other protesters. In Salt Lake City, the rally drew 500 participants, according to an estimate by the police.
In Boston, where Second Amendment supporters gathered in front of the Statehouse, the organizer Paul Allen, 62, a retired construction worker, described supporters of gun control as “ignorant sheep who are being spoon-fed by liberal teachers.”In Boston, where Second Amendment supporters gathered in front of the Statehouse, the organizer Paul Allen, 62, a retired construction worker, described supporters of gun control as “ignorant sheep who are being spoon-fed by liberal teachers.”
“They haven’t read the Constitution,” he said, “and they don’t know what it means.”“They haven’t read the Constitution,” he said, “and they don’t know what it means.”
In Utah, the rally for gun rights began outside a high school with a prayer, “The Star-Spangled Banner” and shouts of “Long live freedom!”In Utah, the rally for gun rights began outside a high school with a prayer, “The Star-Spangled Banner” and shouts of “Long live freedom!”
In one corner stood Brandon McKee, 46, with a firearm on his belt and his 11-year-old daughter, Kendall, by his side. Kendall wore braces and a hat that said “unicorn” across the band.In one corner stood Brandon McKee, 46, with a firearm on his belt and his 11-year-old daughter, Kendall, by his side. Kendall wore braces and a hat that said “unicorn” across the band.
“I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines,” said Mr. McKee, who works as a delivery man for a local school district. “The other side is passionate and they are well organized. And it’s time that we stand up for our rights before they get taken away.”“I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines,” said Mr. McKee, who works as a delivery man for a local school district. “The other side is passionate and they are well organized. And it’s time that we stand up for our rights before they get taken away.”
He explained why he carries his gun at all times.He explained why he carries his gun at all times.
“When emergencies happen, cops are minutes away when seconds count,” he said. “I can’t depend on anybody else to defend me or my family.”“When emergencies happen, cops are minutes away when seconds count,” he said. “I can’t depend on anybody else to defend me or my family.”
The march set off down a wide avenue, but tensions erupted almost immediately as a single infiltrator — Linda Peer, 67, from Torrey, Utah — took to the front of the line, holding a sign calling for stricter gun laws.The march set off down a wide avenue, but tensions erupted almost immediately as a single infiltrator — Linda Peer, 67, from Torrey, Utah — took to the front of the line, holding a sign calling for stricter gun laws.
The pro-gun group heckled her.The pro-gun group heckled her.
“She’s not a true American!” yelled a man in an orange jacket. “Shame on you!” the group chanted as she darted between protesters with her sign. “Shame on you! Shame on you!”“She’s not a true American!” yelled a man in an orange jacket. “Shame on you!” the group chanted as she darted between protesters with her sign. “Shame on you! Shame on you!”
The marchers passed several Mormon Church buildings, with the man in orange still heckling her, and then climbed a hill to the Capitol, where they ascended a series of white steps.The marchers passed several Mormon Church buildings, with the man in orange still heckling her, and then climbed a hill to the Capitol, where they ascended a series of white steps.
A man in camouflage turned his attention to a woman on the steps who appeared to be part of a gun control group.A man in camouflage turned his attention to a woman on the steps who appeared to be part of a gun control group.
“You don’t even know what you’re talking about,” he shouted at her. “Are you even from this country?”“You don’t even know what you’re talking about,” he shouted at her. “Are you even from this country?”
The counterprotest in Salt Lake City was organized by Bryan Melchior, co-owner of the Utah Gun Exchange, a website that sells firearms.The counterprotest in Salt Lake City was organized by Bryan Melchior, co-owner of the Utah Gun Exchange, a website that sells firearms.
Mr. Melchior said he recently had met many young people who felt that the growing call for stricter gun laws did not represent their views.Mr. Melchior said he recently had met many young people who felt that the growing call for stricter gun laws did not represent their views.
Among them was Cody Frandsen, 17, a high school senior wearing a “Make America Great Again” baseball cap. “I feel like an outsider,” said Mr. Frandsen, standing with friends who nodded in agreement. “A lot of the millennials, our age group, is left-leaning.”Among them was Cody Frandsen, 17, a high school senior wearing a “Make America Great Again” baseball cap. “I feel like an outsider,” said Mr. Frandsen, standing with friends who nodded in agreement. “A lot of the millennials, our age group, is left-leaning.”
The group began talking about gun laws it might be able to support.The group began talking about gun laws it might be able to support.
“I’m totally for a background check,” said Mr. Frandsen, noting that he supported universal checks.“I’m totally for a background check,” said Mr. Frandsen, noting that he supported universal checks.
“I think there should be a mental health check” before purchasing a gun, said his friend Logan Coffey, 17. “And the government should know where every single firearm is.”“I think there should be a mental health check” before purchasing a gun, said his friend Logan Coffey, 17. “And the government should know where every single firearm is.”
Of those who marched in Washington in support of gun control, Mr. Frandsen said he did not agree with anything “they have to say,” adding, “But I’m sure we could come up with some kind of compromise.”Of those who marched in Washington in support of gun control, Mr. Frandsen said he did not agree with anything “they have to say,” adding, “But I’m sure we could come up with some kind of compromise.”