Free high-capacity magazines given out at gun rights rally

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Gun rights supporters protesting gun restriction legislation have gathered outside the Vermont Statehouse to urge the governor not to sign the bill.

Police estimate hundreds of protesters turned out Saturday to show their opposition a day after the Vermont legislature passed the gun restrictions package.

Protesters were giving away 1,200 30-round magazines. The legislation would ban high-capacity magazines and rapid-fire devices known as bump stocks, in addition to raising the legal age. It also would expand background checks for private gun sales.

People who own high-capacity magazines before the law takes effect can keep them.

Gun rights advocates also were accepting donations for a fund to challenge the Vermont legislation.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott is expected to sign the bill.

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This story has been corrected to show the number of magazines is 1,200, not 400.