Tweets capture ‘dueling rallies’ over newly proposed gun legislation in Dover

While most of the world is flipping out (and rightly so) about the first photograph of an actual black hole, Delaware Twitter was a bit more focused on a different kind of event: The “dueling rallies” over gun reform at Legislative Hall in Dover.

That’s because there are three hot-button bills on the table that would ban assault weapons, restrict 10-round magazines and require permits for all gun purchases. You can read a few more details about the bills on Delaware Public Media.

The public was to be heard on Wednesday, April 10, and people came out in droves.

With gun control group Moms Demand Action leading the charge on one side and a very large contingent of gun rights advocates convening for the Delaware 2nd Amendment Rally on the other, participants and observers captured and shared a pretty intense scene.

WBOC Kent County Bureau Chief Tom Lehman tweeted some especially immersive videos:

Big gun rights crowd gathered at Leg Hall today. They’re demonstrating against a series of planned gun control bills. An event supporting the gun control bills is also scheduled for a little later. More tonight on WBOC News @ 6. #NetDE #DoverDE #KentDE #guns #guncontrol #2A pic.twitter.com/mwl7gdm04c

— Tom Lehman (@TomLehmanWGAL) April 10, 2019

Here’s an idea is what the Moms Demand event looks and sounds like with all the gun rights demonstrators. #NetDE #DoverDE #KentDE #guns #guncontrol #2A @wboc pic.twitter.com/1d5xnoiEHM

— Tom Lehman (@TomLehmanWGAL) April 10, 2019

This is an idea of the chaos going on here as the Gun Rights crowd has crashed the Moms Demand event. #2A group has been moved off the East steps. Lots of boos. #NetDE #DoverDE #KentDE #guns pic.twitter.com/yz0fdyGFfh

— Tom Lehman (@TomLehmanWGAL) April 10, 2019

Others captured stills of the day:

Gun rights advocates confront gun control supporters on the steps of Legislative Hall. #netDE pic.twitter.com/DAM0ACDSiE

— Matthew Bittle (@MatthewCBittle) April 10, 2019

Sometimes you speak to people who want to hear it, sometimes you speak to people who don't, sometimes, like today, you speak to a lot of both. Either way, you KEEP. SHOWING. UP. #expectus #NetDE #DeLeg pic.twitter.com/1a0YEm6H9J

— Megan (@Meg_ODell) April 10, 2019

Delaware @MomsDemand are in the house. And we’re ready. #DEleg #netDE #watchuswork #expectus pic.twitter.com/Q2AbpP12Yx

— Sarah (@Delaware_Sarah) April 10, 2019

The bills will be debated and eventually voted on by state legislators later this year.