RICHMOND- Thousands of protestors gathered outside the Virginia State Capitol Jan. 20 to protest tightening gun control measures, many touting assault weapons, though no shots were fired.

The protest came amidst deliberation in the Virginia State Senate over a proposed “red flag” law that would allow law enforcement to seize firearms from people who might be dangerous to themselves or others. 

The next day, Minnesota lawmakers, law enforcement and civilians gathered in Hibbing to debate gun control, which will be a hot topic in the next state legislative session.

Junior Frank Tsiouvaras offered a counterpoint to the framing of the bill as anti-gun: “I think people should have guns, but… If you have, like, [psychological] issues, I feel like they should… be able to stop you from buying it,” he said.

To date, 17 states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form of “red flag” law.