Gun-rights, control groups rally at Virginia Tech

Updated: 9:06 p.m.

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Some were legally armed with their weapons, while others at Virginia Tech came to rally against guns on campus.

Eric Smith, President of the Campus Libertarians, spear-headed the rally.

"These killers, if they really want to kill people they're going to find a way to do it," said Smith.

The campus organization invited the Virginia Citizens Defense League to rally with them, after Tech's Board of Visitors said they would likely consider a state regulation to implement the ban against guns on campus.

"A rule is nothing but words on paper, it doesn't stop somebody with evil intent," said Phillip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

In a counter protest, survivors of the April 16th tragedy were also at Tech with others to promote rules for a gun-free campus.

Lori Haas' daughter was shot, but survived.

"Speculation over what happened in that classroom, what didn't happen in that classroom, what could be done, what couldn't be done is futile, and it's dangerously close to blaming the victims," said Haas.

Those at Tech who want guns allowed on college campuses outnumbered their opposition by five to one, but the message of gun-control advocates was loud enough to hear.

Colin Goddard, another victim from four years ago, says not enough is done to keep guns out of the wrong hands, to allow them on campus.

"Why are we choosing to react at the last second as opposed to being proactive and stop that student from that idea, and that gun in their hand and entering that building. Because in my opinion, once that happens you've already lost," said Goddard.

Pro gun-rights advocates feel neither a policy, nor a regulation will curtail a criminal.

9:30 a.m.

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Gun control advocates plan to hold a simultaneous rally at virginia Tech today in response to one already planned by a gun-rights group.

In a press release, survivors of the April 16, 2007 tragedy, and their families will be among those on campus in favor of a gun free campus.

Meanwhile, the pro-gun Virginia Citizens Defense League will be at the Squires Student Center to protest efforts to bar concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns in campus buildings.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in a July opinion said a university must pass a regulation to ban guns on campus, and that policy only applies to students and faculty.

The pro-gun rights protest is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The release from "Students For Gun Free Schools" founder Colin Goddard, a survivor of the Tech tragedy, is asking students to walk out to Squires at that time.