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http://flatheadbeacon.com/2013/07/23/gun-control-supporters-rally-at-capitol/

Gun Control Supporters Rally at Capitol
Group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns organized the event as part of a tour through 25 states
BY MATT GOURAS, ASSOCIATED PRESS // JUL 23, 2013 // LATEST HEADLINES

HELENA — Supporters of expanded background checks for gun buyers brought their multi-state tour to Montana on Tuesday to ask Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus to change his stance and help Congress reconsider the issue.

But the small rally at the Capitol didn’t seem to budge the state’s senior senator, who is retiring at the end of 2014. Baucus has said that his vote in opposition of the background checks was based on overwhelming opposition from Montanans.

A group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, founded and funded by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, organized the event as part of a tour through 25 states. Another rally is scheduled for Thursday in Missoula.

The organization has also aired television advertisements in Montana, a pro-gun state with a history of opposing new restrictions, and other states represented by U.S. senators who in April voted against a failed bill to expand background checks for gun buyers.

State Rep. Amanda Curtis of Butte told the crowd to stand up for “reasonable” gun control legislation. The Democrat — who is considering a run for the U.S. House — said she believes the state is largely supportive of the idea.

“I don’t think in any way it is an unreasonable or outrageous thing to ask,” Curtis said in an interview after the event.

Curtis said during the rally that when she was 17, her brother killed himself with a gun at a party playing Russian roulette. She argued more can be done to prevent gun deaths, and told a few dozen gathered at the rally to stand up to fictitious counter arguments.

“When someone says the government is going to come and take your guns, that is crazy. That is not going to happen,” Curtis said. “We wouldn’t ever let that happen.”

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