Pro-gun rally brings heavy support
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YAKIMA, Wash.-- Hundreds of pro-gun protesters gathered at Millennium Plaza in Yakima today to peacefully fight against proposed gun regulations. They called it the Central Washington Day of Resistance.
Flowers were used as signs of peace while protesters gathered in Yakima to fight for their right to bear arms. And for the event, they brought out the big guns, literally. All generations came out with a message. Some with their guns, others with signs, but all with their voice.
"I think if we don't stand up for our rights then we're going to lose our rights," said Phil Bentz, who served in the Army Reserves.
He wants everyone to have the freedom he fought for.
"A lot of us here and all across the country fought for our constitutional rights," he said.
"Rights" some people don't think includes dangerous weapons.
"Cops should be the only ones that carry guns except for people that are hunting," said Sharon Jenks, who walked by the rally.
Sharon's opinion wasn't a popular one today at the rally. Parents like Flo Quirez brought young children to witness the rally and learn about current legislation.
"I think it's very important for my children to be, to think that they can fight for whatever that they believe in and to stand up for whatever their choices are," Quirez said.
But protesters and bystanders had different opinions about the crowd of hundreds.
"It's about union and people heard more in groups than they are as just one individual person," Quirez said.
Bystanders were weary of the amount of guns in a small space.
"Suppose you went up to them and irritated them and then they get irritated at you and pull the gun at you," said Robert Jenks who also walked by the rally.
Police showed up to make sure everything remained peaceful, and it did even as a contentious debate grows by the day.
Flowers were used as signs of peace while protesters gathered in Yakima to fight for their right to bear arms. And for the event, they brought out the big guns, literally. All generations came out with a message. Some with their guns, others with signs, but all with their voice.
"I think if we don't stand up for our rights then we're going to lose our rights," said Phil Bentz, who served in the Army Reserves.
He wants everyone to have the freedom he fought for.
"A lot of us here and all across the country fought for our constitutional rights," he said.
"Rights" some people don't think includes dangerous weapons.
"Cops should be the only ones that carry guns except for people that are hunting," said Sharon Jenks, who walked by the rally.
Sharon's opinion wasn't a popular one today at the rally. Parents like Flo Quirez brought young children to witness the rally and learn about current legislation.
"I think it's very important for my children to be, to think that they can fight for whatever that they believe in and to stand up for whatever their choices are," Quirez said.
But protesters and bystanders had different opinions about the crowd of hundreds.
"It's about union and people heard more in groups than they are as just one individual person," Quirez said.
Bystanders were weary of the amount of guns in a small space.
"Suppose you went up to them and irritated them and then they get irritated at you and pull the gun at you," said Robert Jenks who also walked by the rally.
Police showed up to make sure everything remained peaceful, and it did even as a contentious debate grows by the day.
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That comment was really stupid "Suppose you went up to them and irritated them and they pulled a gun on you". I wasn't there but heard it was very peaceful and patriotic and no one had any problems. Leave to the media for their 'unbiased' reporting.
Notice how the media uses the term " GUN VIOLENCE "Â The unlawful use of a firearm is being socialized by the government and the news media. The intent is to highlight the gun as being the cause and the enabler of felonious acts and little is said about the real cause of the violence which is people.
We don't have a firearm problem, we have a people problem and to start fixing it we could start out with the judicial system and proper security where needed. Gun free zones should read " FEEL FREE TO HUNT "
DId anyone notice that the "Jenks" family was the only family interviewed here showing any irrational fears?
âBystanders were weary of the amount of guns in a small spaceâ
I was there and I saw non of the âbystanders you are refering to â
Maybe you have x-ray vision and could see through the walls of the surounding buildings?
âAn armed society is a polite societyâ proven this day in Yakima.
I was also there at the rally and talked to local law enforcement;
They have no problem with open carry; and saw no danger from the group of people, simply gathering together to exorcise their constitutional rights under the law.
As far as anyone posing a danger to others; I felt safer than I have ever felt when in public â especially in down town Yakima.
I saw a very courteous and responsible group of people; that prayed and said the pledge of allegiance to the United States.
Not one single person even raised his or her voice or argued with anyone.
There were old and young alike exorcising their freedom of speech and to peacefully assemble.
The police showed up because they received a call that people were carrying rifles down the street; when the officers arrived they immediately knew what was going on when they saw the signs and PA system.
The police walked among the people and talked with out even one instance of any form of confrontation â other than one homeless person staggering around â but they already knew about him and not one person there even said anything bad about him.
I think you meant to use the word "wary", rather than "weary". Wish i could have been there.
Hey Sharon. News update ..Criminals are now carrying guns, I think the cops should just carry switches and spank the criminals when they come to your house in the middle of the night. Instead of waiting for law enforcement to come to your aid, wouldn't it be nice if you could protect yourself??
Oh please.... Â I was there and I saw NO ONE "walking by" the rally that seemed upset, much less stopped by to give their opinion about the rally to a reporter. Â I honestly believe this reporter is full of dung. Â The reporter needs to GET HONEST and tell what really happened at the rally! Â People were PRAYING OUT LOUD, embracing the LORD, talking about their hearts and souls and their DEEP CONCERN for this country.
HOW DARE YOU TARNISH THE BEAUTIFUL EVENT THAT HAPPENED TODAY! Â SHAME ON YOU!!!!!