This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21562050
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| US gun activists stage 'day of resistance' to tighter controls | US gun activists stage 'day of resistance' to tighter controls |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Gun rights activists in the US are holding a "day of resistance" against planned reforms of firearm laws. | Gun rights activists in the US are holding a "day of resistance" against planned reforms of firearm laws. |
| They say more than 100 rallies are being held across the country to oppose moves to tighten restrictions on gun ownership. | They say more than 100 rallies are being held across the country to oppose moves to tighten restrictions on gun ownership. |
| Protesters say the moves breach their constitutional right to bear arms. | Protesters say the moves breach their constitutional right to bear arms. |
| The rallies follow the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in December, which left 20 children and six teachers dead. | The rallies follow the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in December, which left 20 children and six teachers dead. |
| That prompted calls for restrictions on gun use and a strong backlash from those who oppose them. | That prompted calls for restrictions on gun use and a strong backlash from those who oppose them. |
| President Barack Obama wants a ban on assault weapons and wider background checks on people buying guns. | President Barack Obama wants a ban on assault weapons and wider background checks on people buying guns. |
| 'Don't tread on me!' | 'Don't tread on me!' |
| "I do not oppose all tightening of gun restriction laws," says Dustin Stockton, one of the organisers of Saturday's protests. | "I do not oppose all tightening of gun restriction laws," says Dustin Stockton, one of the organisers of Saturday's protests. |
| "But what we will never accept is the government coming into our homes and demanding to know exactly what kind of weaponry we have for our natural right of self-preservation." | "But what we will never accept is the government coming into our homes and demanding to know exactly what kind of weaponry we have for our natural right of self-preservation." |
| At one of the protests, in Maryland near Washington, about 100 people gathered. | At one of the protests, in Maryland near Washington, about 100 people gathered. |
| Many wore T-shirts showing a rattlesnake and the words: "Don't tread on me!" | Many wore T-shirts showing a rattlesnake and the words: "Don't tread on me!" |
| The symbol has been adopted by the conservative Tea Party movement, which organised this show of opposition, the BBC's Ben Wright in Washington reports. | The symbol has been adopted by the conservative Tea Party movement, which organised this show of opposition, the BBC's Ben Wright in Washington reports. |
| In Sarasota, Florida, the Herald-Tribune news site estimated more than 50 people had attended. | In Sarasota, Florida, the Herald-Tribune news site estimated more than 50 people had attended. |
| "It's one of my rights - one I'd die for," it quoted Terry Childers as saying. | "It's one of my rights - one I'd die for," it quoted Terry Childers as saying. |
| Others carried placards showing their support - including one with a picture of an assault rifle, reading: "Come and take it." | Others carried placards showing their support - including one with a picture of an assault rifle, reading: "Come and take it." |
| The protests follow a week of calls for tighter gun laws. | The protests follow a week of calls for tighter gun laws. |
| Some states have demanded mandatory liability insurance for gun owners. | Some states have demanded mandatory liability insurance for gun owners. |
| On Thursday, Vice-President Joe Biden gave a speech not far from Newtown, Connecticut, where last year's deadly school shooting took place. | On Thursday, Vice-President Joe Biden gave a speech not far from Newtown, Connecticut, where last year's deadly school shooting took place. |
| He said there was a "moral price to be paid" for inaction over gun control laws and criticised politicians "more concerned about your political survival" than the safety of America's children. | He said there was a "moral price to be paid" for inaction over gun control laws and criticised politicians "more concerned about your political survival" than the safety of America's children. |
| While President Obama takes his campaign for the assault weapon ban and universal background checks to America's cities, his opponents are mobilising, our correspondent says. | While President Obama takes his campaign for the assault weapon ban and universal background checks to America's cities, his opponents are mobilising, our correspondent says. |
| He adds that both camps are now fighting to capture public opinion and persuade politicians in Congress to back them. | He adds that both camps are now fighting to capture public opinion and persuade politicians in Congress to back them. |