RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gun groups are squaring off at the Virginia General Assembly.
Pro-gun rights groups held a morning rally at the Capitol Monday, and gun control advocates held one a few hours later.
Supporters of gun rights urged lawmakers to undo some of the policies put in place by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring, which gun rights supporters said are unduly burdensome to law-abiding gun owners. Gun control advocates said GOP lawmakers are blocking common-sense measures that would reduce violent crime because they are beholden to the gun lobby.
The debate on guns could be heated during the 2016 legislative session, but is unlikely to produce much movement. Republicans control both chambers of the General Assembly while McAuliffe wields a veto pen.
