NBS News New York Gun rights advocates marched to the National Mall from Arlington Wednesday — while “armed” with water pistols.
The group kicked off their Toy Gun March at 9 a.m. at the Memorial Bridge, and made their way to the Washington Monument for a rally at 10:30 a.m.
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Organizers say they want to promote responsible gun ownership and place gun owners in a better light. Participants were asked to carry toy pistols with orange tips, water guns, nerf guns and “anything peaceful,” the organizers posted on Facebook.
“And the Toy Gun Marchers are here to say that we believe in the second amendment right to bear arms, we believe in the Supreme Court decision, and we are here to say we come in peace,” an organizer told News4 during the march. “We are non-violent; we want to show people that we’re respectful, and that we are responsible gun owners.”
The Toy Gun March was scheduled after a separate group’s march with real guns, planned for Thursday, was canceled. The U.S. Park Police also issued a reminder that D.C. law prohibits carrying a rifle or shotgun within the city.
“Due to the fact that it is currently illegal to carry a loaded firearm into the District of Columbia, we liberty lovers have decided to tweak the nose of big government and show Obama what a clown he is for trying to restrict our natural rights,” Toy Gun March organizers wrote on Facebook.
The marchers are also protesting harsh punishments that some schoolchildren have faced over playing with toy guns.
“We think that’s wrong, because America is a gun culture,” an organizer told Ward. They’re also poking fun at the situation, holding a contest to see which attendee can best nibble a Pop Tart into the shape of a gun.
A 7-year-old Maryland boy was suspended from school earlier this year after a teacher said he bit a breakfast pastry into the shape of a gun.
Before the march, the National Park Service planned to inspect realistic-looking guns to ensure that they were fake, organizers said, urging participants not to squirt the officers or aim their guns at them.
Events on the Mall, held through 2 p.m., also include a water gun battle, face-painting and a game of kickball. Attendees will be able to refill their water guns from a 160-gallon tank.
The group is also donating toys and collecting money for Toys for Tots.
“We’re going to have a little free speech, a little fun,” the organizer said. “A lot of kids are going to be here.”
As fate would have it, the Toy Gun Marchers shared space on the bridge with another demonstration.
“I didn’t even know about another march across the street,” said anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan with a laugh. Sheehan was finishing a cross-country bike ride on the Tour de Peace, advocating for an end to war.
Hahaha!! The police were checking out these weapons to make sure they were not real. BAHAAHAHAHA!!! What a bunch of pussies.
More like they just didn’t want to appear embarassed by not enforcing the government’s insane gun control laws or in this case, toy gun control laws (TOO LATE!) as people with toy guns go by.
Yes, check those guns. Their may be acid in them and poisonous liquid. Maybe even pepper spray! OMG!!!!!!
I mean the police don’t know how to protect themselves from pepper spray but they sure can use them against the people without any problems or feelings of remorse.