US: Protesters in Virginia rally against new gun laws

Protesters gathered in downtown Richmond, Virginia on Saturday morning to rally against the state's new gun laws, which went into effect July 1.

Virginia has been the epicentre of the U.S. gun debate after Democrats, in charge for the first time in a generation, ran on an aggressive gun-control platform.

Many who attended the July 4 rally openly carried guns. One told WTVR-TV that he was there to make sure gun owners' rights were not infringed upon.

At least one counter-protester attended, wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt and raising his fist, a symbol of solidarity within the movement.

New laws include universal background checks on gun purchases, a red flag bill to allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from people deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others, and limited handgun purchases to one a month.

Tens of thousands of gun owners from around the country rallied against new gun restrictions at the state Capitol in January while lawmakers ultimately approved 7 out of 8 of Gov. Ralph Northam's gun-control package.

Moderate Democrats baulked at passing a ban on assault weapons, which was one of Northam's top priorities.

(Representative Image)