Gun-toting Second Amendment rights advocates descended on Virginia's Capitol Square on Monday for the state's annual Lobby Day, in which those who are off from work and school are encouraged to speak with state lawmakers about the issues that matter to them.
In recent years, the annual tradition has become contentious with large swaths of gun rights activists descended on the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia to demand that the state government does not institute gun control measures.
But on Monday, the scene appeared to be more civil, with just a few crowds gathered across the street as they chanted about their freedoms and claimed guns should be allowed on the Capitol, despite signs hanging up around them saying they are banned from the premises.
Black Lives Matter activists were also on the scene, as were others protesting vaccine mandates.
And at one point, some protesters were seen walking towards the Capitol with their guns, but they were promptly stopped by Richmond police who calmly let them know where guns are and are not allowed on the premises.
No arrests were reported, and by the end of the work day, the protesters gathered up their things and left.
Moderate crowds of pro-gun activists descended on Virginia's Capitol Square on Monday for the state's annual Lobby Day
Dozens of the men were seen carrying guns across the street from the state's Capitol, where guns are prohibitted
Several of the men were dressed in combat-gear as they waited outside the Capitol
This year saw smaller gun rights crowds than in years passed when they tried to prevent Democrats from passing gun control legislation
A man was decked out in Republican and Don't Tread on Me pins as he wore a hat that said 'Guns save lives'
There was a heavy police presence wrapped around the Capitol after previous contentious protest
Inside the Capitol, the scene was even more cordial, with members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, which organized the protest, dressed in button-down shirts as they met with lawmakers, according to the Washington Post.
'We've got teams going around to all legislations handing our agenda,' Philip Van Cleave told CBS News 6. 'This is a day where we're trying to get a bunch of gun control passed in the last two years repealed.'
The group was laser-focused on three things they said they would like the General Assembly to change in the new year:
To repeal the ban on guns in places of worship, preschools and day cares To revoke the
