Gun control groups hold vigil outside NRA headquarters

Gun control advocates held a vigil Tuesday outside the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) headquarters in Virginia to remember those killed in two mass shootings over the weekend, and to put pressure on the gun rights group that has opposed new, stringent restrictions on firearms.

Hundreds gathered as vigil attendees held moments of silence and recited victims’ names, ABC News reports. Organizing groups included March for Our Lives, a student-led advocacy group. 

{mosads}The Northern Virginia chapter of March for Our Lives tweeted that the vigil was held in honor of those lost in the mass shootings, “as well as in solidarity with Americans affected by everyday gun violence.” Those attending the vigil also honored people killed in recent gun violence in Chicago. 

Hundreds of us gathered in front of the NRA’s headquarters to honor the victims from the shootings in El Paso, Dayton and Chicago, and to stand in solidarity with Americans affected by everyday gun violence.

Our message? #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/MOLBhJ2JSL

— MFOL NOVA (@MFOLNOVA) August 5, 2019

The NRA did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment. 

ABC reports the NRA said it wouldn’t take part in politicizing the shootings, but would work to find solutions.

The group has been widely criticized by gun control advocates as stymieing commonsense gun reform by lobbying Republican lawmakers. 

Democrats, joined by some Republicans, have renewed a call for commonsense gun reform in the wake of the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

Democrats called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring the Senate back for a special session during the monthlong recess to vote on a universal background check bill the Democratic-controlled House passed in February.