Hundreds Attend First 'Gun Appreciation Day' In Bel Air
HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- At a time when lawmakers around the country are considering tighter gun control measures, some weapons owners are thinking of ways to protect their Second Amendment rights.
As Gigi Barnett reports, this comes as gun ranges across the country mark the first National Gun Appreciation Day.
It's part of their Second Amendment rights--to own a gun and use it safely.
That's why hundreds of weapons owners showed up at Horst and McCann Shooting Range in Bel Air this weekend to mark the first National Gun Appreciation Day. Their message is clear.
"It's not law-abiding citizens that own guns who cause the problems."
Charles Tittle is a Vietnam veteran, and owns at least 10 guns. He fears tougher gun measures will only penalize him.
"I think politicians are using tragedies to advance their own agendas. And yes, anyone who opposes them will be made to take the fall," Tittle said.
Lawmakers across the state and the country are looking to strengthen gun control laws. This week, Governor Martin O'Malley unveiled legislation to ban assault weapons. It's in response to the Newtown school massacre last month that killed 20 young students and six school workers.
"What took place in Newtown really was a mass shooting. Those kids were riddled with bullets," said House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch.
Delegate Pat McDonough is against the governor's new laws. It's what he told gun owners rallying this weekend.
"The purpose of today is to balance out the propaganda going around--that the guns are the monsters--when it's really the monsters who use the guns that's the problem," said McDonough.
This is just one of several rallies in the state backing the Second Amendment. Gun owners also held a demonstration at the State House, opposing new gun measures.
Gun Appreciation Day had a few problems. Four people were accidentally shot at various gun events across the country.
