In 2018, police arrested Brandon Lee Rhodes in Chesterfield and charged him with assault and battery of a family member. In April 2023, he was charged again, this time after lighting the house on fire and assaulting his mother, according to a police report. That report said the attack left fingermarks on her neck. His mother explained that Rhodes suffers from mental illness. He was placed under court-ordered probation in lieu of a jail sentence. This January, Chesterfield police again rushed to the family’s home in Matoaca, where Rhodes was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder. Family said that Rhodes, during a mental health episode, took his brother’s gun from an unlocked gun cabinet and shot his mother’s best friend. His brother said the gun jammed when Rhodes turned it on their mother. The friend, Tamara Recchia, 59, died of a gunshot wound in the incident, police said.
People are also reading…
Police later said there were no restrictions on Rhodes’ ability to possess a firearm. It’s crime scenes like these that state legislators hoped to prevent when they created red flag laws in 2020. The laws give sheriffs, police and prosecutors a new tool to pull guns from people believed to be dangerous, but a review of state data shows that few localities actually use the new law. That’s especially true in central Virginia. In Chesterfield, where Rhodes is charged with murder, the law was used just once in 2024. The Times-Dispatch spoke with prosecutors and police in Henrico, Richmond, Hanover and Chesterfield to understand why the region’s red flag law numbers are so low. They say the low numbers don’t suggest they’ve taken a backseat position on preempting gun crime, while the law’s most fervent advocate — Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano — continues to back the legislation to the hilt. Virginia’s red flag law allows police to seize a gun from someone “deemed to be a risk” to themselves or others. It was passed along partisan lines, against the wishes of a Republican House minority. Supporters called the law a common-sense safety measure, backed by evidence, which could help prevent mass shootings and suicides. The laws are technically called “substantial risk orders” and last up to 14 days with an option to be extended to 180 days. A circuit court judge reviews evidence and signs off on both orders. Richmond police filed just five substantial risk orders in 2024. For comparison, the city of Hampton filed 61, and Fairfax County filed 173. But Richmond is the norm, rather than an outlier. Like Chesterfield, Henrico used the law just once in 2024, and in most Virginia counties — even populous ones like Alexandria, Arlington and Fredericksburg — the law is rarely used. Like all tools, the law isn’t a magic bullet. Ashley P. Henderson, who is prosecuting the Rhodes case, said she thought a red flag law wouldn’t have prevented Recchia’s death. In the end, Rhodes had access to a family gun and no need to buy one from a shop, where he might have failed a background check. His family, too, blames a broken mental health system, rather than a slip by prosecutors. “They just kept treating him and sending him back out, treating him and sending him back out,” said Justin Rhodes, Brandon’s brother. “There’s no red flag law that would have stopped this from happening.” That might not have been true in Fairfax, where Descano has made the law his bread and butter. Police and prosecutors there are trained to review the cases already before them to identify if there’s a gun in the picture. It’s an approach he says other counties could replicate. “I would think that we would want to get to a place as a commonwealth, where, when people do have these interactions with law enforcement, that it becomes ingrained in the apparatus itself to start to probe and ask, ‘OK, does this person have access to guns? Does this mental health issue make them a danger to themselves or others?’” Descano said. “And if the answer to those two questions is yes, then I think a red flag law hearing would be appropriate.” But Descano says he’s aware that gauging the success of red flag laws is tricky. You can’t measure the unmeasurable: the number of suicides and killings that don’t happen. “Nothing is a 100% solution,” he said. “But if it moves the ball in the right direction, it’s a good thing.” Other localities have been slower on the uptake. A majority didn’t use the law at all in 2024, the data show. And no local law enforcement in central Virginia has replicated Fairfax’s system. Police and prosecutors offered myriad reasons why. Henrico Police Lieutenant Stanley Shapiro said its agency relies on other laws to accomplish the same objective. By taking out a detention order, police can make possessing a firearm illegal without seeking a circuit court judge’s approval. Shapiro said detention orders are easier to file, and come with the added bonus of psychiatric help. “We want our mental health consumers to get a full spectrum of care,” Shapiro said. Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor said its county also files protective orders, another way to make firearm ownership temporarily illegal. Taylor also said that some responsibility lies with the residents and neighbors; police can’t be omniscient. “There is a responsibility for that family member, that individual making the call, to bring this to the attention of law enforcement,” said Taylor. “It’s hard for law enforcement to respond if they don’t know all the facts.” In Richmond, Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin said the 2020 legislation is still “relatively new.” Richmonders might not know about the law. Or, they might not think they need to flag erratic behavior until it’s too late. “What I see so much in the criminal justice system, and in talking with other prosecutors across the commonwealth, is that nobody thinks it’s a problem until it’s a problem, right?” McEachin said. “I think there are a lot of unknowns for most people. Even if they knew about the law, they might be hesitant to use it.” McEachin, who is running for reelection, faced criticism for Richmond’s low red flag law utilization numbers at
a primary debate in May . Her opponent, progressive local attorney Tom Barbour, said the statistics reflect a missed opportunity. “Laws don’t enforce themselves. It takes education, training and a commitment to use new laws to make them work for the public good,” said Barbour. “We should be using Virginia’s red flag laws in Richmond to keep people safe, but we’re not.”
Richmond Police Department spokesperson James Mercante said a lead detective with the agency’s family crime unit reviews potential red flag interventions. In Chesterfield, Commonwealth’s Attorney Erin Barr said she was a proponent of red flag laws, which she said she used at a prior job in Colonial Heights. Barr did not answer questions on the Rhodes’ case, and said she was “working with our partners” to create a process to deploy red flag laws in appropriate cases. Hanover notched the highest red flag law statistics for central Virginia. It utilized the law quickly, tapping it 11 times in 2021. Both the county’s prosecutor and sheriff are Republicans. County prosecutor Mackenzie Babichenko said she’s deferred so far to Sheriff David Hines on using the law. A lieutenant with the office, Terry Sullivan, said its office trained up on the law after it was passed. “We constantly educate our officers on any kind of changes in the law that might be a resource for the community,” Sullivan said. Several prosecutors pointed to legislation that failed in the 2024 General Assembly as a reason for the slow uptake of red flag laws. Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, advanced a bill that would have tasked the state to train localities on how and when to file substantial risk orders. The training would have been free, because of leftover federal grant dollars. However, it was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024, who said that an existing training program was discontinued by Gov. Ralph Northam after a “lack of interest.” In April, Sullivan wrote an op-ed in The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, where he argued that a deadly shooting in Crozet might have been avoided had a gun been removed from the shooter. Families told The Daily Progress in February that they had begged for help from the Albemarle County Police Department. Albemarle County Police Chief Sean Reeves later
said there wasn’t justification for seizing the shooter’s weapon before the crime occurred. “During interactions with law enforcement, the subject presented a calm demeanor,” said Reeves. “We found no reports of threats, violence or self-harm to either himself or others that would have met the legal threshold for the substantial risk order.” Sullivan, who also sponsored the 2020 legislation, said there was room for improvement. “I’ve been pleased to see that it is used all around the state, but it is certainly also true that it’s not being used as broadly as it could or should be,” said Sullivan. He expects to retry his vetoed training legislation next session. Ideally, he says, before a more receptive governor.
PHOTOS: Scenes from the gun-rights rally at Capitol Square in Richmond
The crowd at Capitol Square as seen from the Pocahontas Building around 10:45 a.m. on Monday. Lawmakers on the south portico of the Virginia Capitol during a gun-rights rally on Monday. Part of the crowd at Monday's gun-rights rally on and around Capitol Square. Virginia State Police work on security during a pro-gun rally at the State Capitol ground in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Rally attendees with assault-style rifles made their way through the crowd outside Capitol Square on Monday. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Police blocked off Grace Street leading to Capitol Square. Stephen Willeford, a Texas man who shot and killed a church shooter in 2017, pumps his fist as he speaks at the rally at the Capitol. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Stephanie Liverman of Portsmough, VA, right, made a selfie with Ron Smelkinson who was dressed as a member of the Continental Army. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. On right, Leonard Harrison of Mebane, N.C. does a Facebook live interview with Aubrey "Japharii" Jones, who is with Black Lives Matter 757, during a gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Supporters of gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. The city parked large trucks at intersections leading to Capitol Square to block traffic. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Roxanne Christley of Roanoke, lead a rally outiside the Bank Street entrance to the Capitol. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A rally participant with an assault rifle with a large capacity magazine stood beneath a 'Dont Tread on Me' sign waved by another participant. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Police kept an eye on rally participants outside on Bank Street. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase stopped to speak to the crowd gathered outside the Bank Street entrance to the Capitol. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Rally participants at the Federal Building across from the Capitol on Bank Street. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Paislie Nunnaly enjoyed as snack as her dad, Chris, right, made a video of the events on Bank Street. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Grayson County Sheriff Richard Vaughan, right, and his staff showed up in support of gun rights. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Dennis Petrocelli of Richmond adjusted his had with a message at the rally. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Rally participants marched along Bank Street. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Ribus Orion used a bullhorn to shout a message to rally participants outside Capitol Square. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. The crowd waved flags and chanted outside Capitol Square on Bank Street. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. The crowd waved flags and chanted outside Capitol Square on Bank Street. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Jon Goble of Indianapolis, says he drove to the rally knowing he might not get into Capitol Square because he thought it was important to send a message to the Virginia legislature. Vendor Joe Tucker of Columbia, S.C., holds up one of the t-shirts he was selling during a gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Jared Moore of Midllothian, waved a flag and shouted outside Capitol Square. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Members of the Silent Brigade outside Capitol Square. A Lobby Day rally at the State Capitol on Gun Rights drew several thousand participants from multiple states, Monday January 20, 2020. The annual Gun Rights Lobby Day, filled much of Capitol Square and the surrounding streets. Members of the Silent Brigade outside Capitol Square. Supporters of gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Supporters (who did not want to give their names) hold signs during the gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Sen. Amanda Chase speaks to the rally on Capitol Square, January 20, 2020 while Rebublican lawmakers look out over the crowd from the Capitol Steps at rear. Philip VanCleave opens Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020. Security for entrance to Capitol grounds. Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020. Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020. VCDL leader Philip Van Cleave exhorts the crowd and thanks them for a peaceful assembly at the end of the capitol rally on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Outside the rally, people carried weapons during the rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020. Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020.Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020. Republican lawmakers,including former House Speaker Kirk Cox (Front, Center) came out on the Capitol steps to observe the rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020. Republican lawmakers,including former House Speaker Kirk Cox (Front, fourth from right) came out on the Capitol steps to observe the rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020.Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020.Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020.Rally at the state capitol on Gun Rights Lobby Day, Monday January 20, 2020. Joe Puszakowski of Pittsburgh waves an American flag during a gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. He served in Iraq with the Marines in 2003. Gun right supporters warm up under sun during a pro-gun rally near the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. People go through security checks upon entering the Pocahontas Building on Lobby Day Monday, January 20, 2020. Gun right supporters attend a pro-gun rally near the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. "Guns Save Lives," stickers are given away during a pro-gun rally near the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Gun right supporters with assault weapons and military uniforms parade during a pro-gun rally near the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Gun right supporters show up their assault weapons during a pro-gun rally outside of the Virginia State Capitol ground in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, speaks to participants during a pro-gun rally near the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Gun rights supporters displayed a flag during a rally at the Virginia Capitol on Jan. 20. A gun right supporter holds a sign during a pro-gun rally near the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Gun right supporters wave flags during a pro-gun rally near the State Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 20. Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, shakes hands with participants during a gun rights rally near the state Capitol in Richmond on Jan. 20. Virginia State Police work on security during a pro-gun rally near the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. in Richmond on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Republican lawmakers step out on the south portico during the gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Micheal Mumford, of Richmond, was one of the protesters on Monday. “It’s important to let everyone know we’re not a monolith.” Grayson County sheriff Richard Vaughan traveled from rural western Virginia to show solidarity with gun-rights advocates. Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, and his 4 & 1/2 year old son, Chase, look out the window of the Jefferson Room inside the State Capitol at the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Part of the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. A number of different flags dotted the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Culpeper County sheriff Scott Jenkins at the gun-rights rally in Richmond on Monday. Participants peeling up fallen stickers from pavement in front of Capitol. The large crowds start to disperse from Capitol Square around 12:30 p.m. Monday as the gun-rights rally winds down. Scenes from Monday's gun rally in Richmond. Scenes from Monday's gun rally in Richmond. Scenes from Monday's gun rally in Richmond. Scenes from Monday's gun rally in Richmond. Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, right, shakes hands with of the crowd at the pro-gun rally as he enters the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Protesters wave a Trump 2020 banner during a gun-right rally in Richmond on Monday. Trump and MAGA hats are sold at the gun-rights rally in Richmond on Monday. The view from the Pocahontas Building around 11:30 a.m. on Monday. Part of the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, shakes hands with of the crowd at the pro-gun rally as he enters the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. State Police watch part of the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. View from Main Street looking toward Capitol Square. Merch on sale at the gun rally in Richmond. Merch on sale at the gun rally in Richmond. Merch on sale at the gun rally in Richmond. Philip Van Cleave, head of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, speaks during a gun-rights rally in Capitol Square in Richmond on Monday. Part of the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Part of the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Part of the crowd at the pro-gun rally on and around Capitol Square in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Crowd along 9th Street facing Capitol Square on Monday morning. Crowds along Bank Street and in Capitol Square at 11 a.m. Monday. Crowds along Bank Street at 11 a.m. Monday. Crowds along Bank Street at 11 a.m. Monday. Crowds in Capitol Square at 11 a.m. Monday. Crowds along Bank Street at 11 a.m. Monday. Brian Scholten, a 21-year-old Virgina Tech student from Strasburg, Va. The crowd as seen from Main Street looking north toward Capitol Square. Madison and Justin Graf drove from Lynchburg with their 2-year-old son and 5-month-old on Monday morning. Here they wait in line to get into Capitol Square. Justin Graf believes pending gun control measures are a step toward taking away firearms, which would take away control of government from the people. “Four more years” chant breaks out after this vets for Trump flag comes out. At the intersection of 7th and Franklin, this truck just stopped to let a small band of armed protesters cross the street. Ed LeMond, a gun-rights supporter who drove 600 miles to Richmond from Jasper, Ind., wears his heart on his head. "I’m here to support the Second Amendment. If they take this, they’ll be taking the First Amendment and everything else." Miranda Smith holds a sign inside Capitol Square during a gun-rights protest on Monday. Crowds chant “We will not comply” and “Northam’s gotta go” outside of Capitol Square on Monday morning. The view of the Virginia General Assembly as seen from Bank Street outside of Capitol Square on Monday. Crowd inside Capitol Square as seen from Bank Street at about 9:55 a.m. Monday. Crowd inside Capitol Square at 9:55 a.m. on Monday. A protester waves the flag of Virginia at a gun-rights rally at Capitol Square in Richmond. Inside Capitol Square around 9:30 a.m. Monday morning before the gun-rights rally in Richmond. People continue to file into Capitol Square around 9:30 a.m. on Monday. Couple from the Northern Neck made this sign. Wife, Pam, has been carrying around a pocket Constitution lately for gun debates. Gun-rights protesters sign petitions on Monday morning near Capitol Square in Richmond. Protesters march with flags near Capitol Square on Monday morning. The crowd of the gun rally as scene on Franklin Street facing 9th Street. Dozens of people with “guns save lives” stickers walking through Carver toward downtown. The intersection of Main and 9th streets on Monday morning around 9:15 a.m. Protesters march with flags up 8th Street. Protesters march with flags up 8th Street. A State Police officer stands guard outside the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Ron Toney from Powhatan isw screened by a Capitol Police Officer at the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. The sun rises over metal detectors screeining anyone seeking entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. The sun rises over metal detectors screeining anyone seeking entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. A demonstrator on 9th St. near the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Demonstrators gather on 9th St. near the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Demonstrators gather in front of St. Paul's Church on 9th St. near the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Demonstrators gather on 9th St. near the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Demonstrators gather on 9th St. near the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Demonstrators gather on 9th Street nearthe entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Demonstrators gather in front of St. Paul's Church at the corner of E. Grace and 9th Streets across from the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Philip Van Cleave, head of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, organizers of the pro-gun rally, stands on Bank St. as crowds gather near the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Inside Capitol Square looking toward Bank Street around 9 a.m. on Monday. Tammy Lampman, left, of Prince George County, and Amy Amos, of Dinwiddie County, outside Capitol Square in Richmond on Monday morning. Austin Woods, of Charlottesville, holds an effigy and sign at the gun rights rally at Capitol Square in Richmond. We asked Smiles Welch about his MLK sign. He said there’s a link between the Second Amendment and Civil Rights movements. Lobbying in the Pocahontas building is busy, but not overwhelming on Monday morning. Groups, almost all wearing "Guns save lives" stickers, are waiting in lines outside of legislators' offices for a chance to sit down with them for a few minutes. People in camo and carrying assault-style rifles in the crowd outside Capitol Square on Monday morning. Bank Street as seen from Capitol Square around 8:45 a.m. Monday morning. The line for Virginia Citizens Defense League shuttles to the state house wrapped around The Diamond parking for several hours Monday morning as protesters waited for rides downtown. People waiting outside the Pocahontas Building near Capitol Square on Monday morning. View from building at 9th and Main streets of the gun-right rally in Richmond around 8:30 a.m. on Monday. The scene at 9th and Bank streets on Monday morning. The line to get into Capitol Square on Monday morning. The crowd as seen from 9th Street looking west down Franklin Street on Monday morning. Inside Capitol Square in Richmond around 8 a.m. Monday morning. Inside Capitol Square in Richmond around 8 a.m. Monday morning. Inside Capitol Square in Richmond around 8 a.m. Monday morning. The scene along Bank Street outside of Capitol Square around 8 a.m. on Monday morning. The line to get into the Pocahontas Building near Capitol Square at 7:50 a.m. on Monday. Inside Capitol Square around 7:45 a.m. on Monday. A sign taped to security fencing near Capitol Square on Monday morning. View toward Capitol Square from 9th and Main streets. Protesters on the streets outside Capitol Square in Richmond on Monday. Capitol Square around 4:30 a.m. Monday. Woman selling Tshirts along 9th street outside Capitol Square in Richmond on Monday morning. An RV covered in pro-Trump posters arrives at Capitol Square around 6:30 a.m. Monday. Protester outside Capitol Square on Monday morning. Franklin and Grace street early Monday. Randy (left) and Monte arrived from Alexandria last night to protest. People gather at 9th and Grace street around 7:10 a.m. Monday. Two men (no names given) with rifles and handguns stood at the corner of E. Grace and 9th Streets across from the entrance to the State Capitol in Richmond, VA around 6:30 am Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. They said they would remain outside the Capitol grounds where weapons are prohibited. Heavy police presence on Bank Street. An estimated 6,000 unarmed demonstrators entered Capitol Square on Monday. An additional 16,000 stayed outside the fences, where weapons and flagpoles were allowed. Will Duffield signs a guest book outside the office of Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, who was not in Monday, January 20, 2020. Duffield, who supports gun rights, was hoping to talk with Lopez about gun control. Revcom.us supporters who demonstrated for a revolution walk down 10th Street after the gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Supporters of gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Virginia State Police officers look over the crowd along Bank Street during the gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. L-R: Tammy Lampman of Prince George and Amy Amos of Dinwiddie hold up signs during the gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. People wait to get into the Pocahontas Building to talk to their representatives as a gun-rights rally is held at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Trump supporters gathered along Bank Street during the gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. An estimated 22,000 protesters turned out for Monday’s gun-rights rally at the Virginia State Capitol, which took place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Supporters of gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020. Austin Woods of Charlottesville holds a sign up during the gun-rights rally at the Virginia Capitol Monday, January 20, 2020.
