Thousands rally for gun control in Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – Thousands of people marched in Washington, D.C. Saturday demanding gun control measures in the hopes of ending gun violence in the country.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a survivor of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, and residents of Newtown, Connecticut, were among the marchers carrying banners that read “March on Washington for Gun Control: When we stand together, we stand a chance” and “Gun Control Now.”

Newtown was the latest epicenter of mass shooting in the U.S. when 20 primary school children and six adults were shot dead by a gunman on Dec. 15.

The demonstrators, who marched from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, called for the reinstatement of the federal ban on the sale of military-style semi-automatic rifles, which was used in the Newtown massacre.

They also demanded a ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines and bullets that shatter inside the body as well as strict background checks and training on gun purchasers.

Duncan spoke to the protesters saying the rally was about gun responsibility, gun safety and fewer dead Americans. He added that the climate of fear among children should end.

The demonstrators responded by chanting “Yes, we can”, a familiar rallying cry from Obama’s first run for president.

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