US: Gun lobby protested in Virginia after shootings

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - Hundreds of Americans late Monday protested the powerful gun association outside its Virginia headquarters and chanted slogans in support of curbing gun violence in the U.S., reported a news channel.

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton joined the demonstrators who gathered to send a message to the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA), said the Washington DC-based WUSA9.

About 13 hours after the shooting tragedy unfolded in El Paso, Texas, killing 22, another rocked Dayton, Ohio, when a body armor-clad gunman opened fire in a popular nightlife area killing 9.

"Enough is enough" people chanted, demanding gun reform and carrying placards that said: ''End gun violence'', "If only thoughts & prayers were bulletproof", and "Moms demand action," among others, it reported.

NRA headquarters faced another protest on Feb. 17, 2018, three days after 17 people were killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

It is one of the most powerful associations and lobbies in the country. NRA endorsed President Donald Trump in May 2016, soon after he launched his presidential campaign.

Trump on many occasions said he is "proud" to be endorsed by NRA and vowed to defend the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that protects gun rights for the people.

The Second Amendment reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed".