VOA标准英语2010-US Gun Owners Rally in Support of Gun Rig

Some came to the Washington D.C. area Monday to take out their guns in a show of support for gun rights.  Others came for a rally in the shadow of the Washington monument "to support the right to keep and bear arms" and to protect the Second Amendment¹.  They chose Monday since it is the anniversary of the 1775 battles that started America's Revolutionary War. 

Concentration.  Judgment².  Accuracy.

For Rob Weaver³, those words point to his passion.

"It's a really zen thing to do," said Rob Weaver. "When you're standing⁴ there.  You have your handgun out.  It's you and the target and your trigger finger and that's all there is."

Such is the love affair between many Americans and their guns.  The U.S. Bill of Rights, specifically the Second Amendment, guarantees Americans the right to keep and bear arms. States determine the laws regarding the storage or carrying of guns. 

Weaver says he would die to protect the Second Amendment if it is threatened.

"I think you very well may see a revolution in this country and it will not be a revolution to overthrow⁵ the government," he said. "It would be a revolution to restore government to its constitutional basis."

Gun owners worry that the Democratic administration will target the Second Amendment.  As a legislator, President Obama did not favor unlimited⁶ gun rights.  So this year, shooters decided⁷ to take their fight to the nation's capital.  Before any changes could be made to those rights.

Gun owners say it's an issue that affects the entire nation.

"The Second Amendment is not a white [race] thing, a redneck [poor, rural] thing.  It's an American thing," said Pennsylvania gun rights supporter Tim Mohn.

Verna Long flew three hours here to attend the rally.  She says her message will get across at the ballot⁸ box.

"We'll just keep re-electing, re-electing and re-electing until we get people in there who understand what the constitution means to all of us," she said.

Other gun owners openly showed their weapons as they stood at the border of Washington on Virginia ground.  Virginia's laws allow guns to be carried in public.

"If the government ever comes after the people in America, know that the people will fight back."

Others are angered by such talk.

"This is America. Love it, or leave it, and take your assault weapons with you."

Gun law advocates say they support the Second Amendment.  Chad Ramsey with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence says his group simply wants to strengthen the laws.

"What we are trying to do is make sure the wrong people don't get their hands on guns," said Chad Ramsey. "We think that you ought to have a background check at gun shows.  We think you ought to have a background check so that people who are dangerously mentally ill aren't getting their hands on guns."

Back at the range, Weaver shares his secret to hitting the target.

"The last shot has nothing to do with the one you're taking right now," he said. "It never does.  And if you get focused on the last shot, you just blow the next one."

That could explain why many gun advocates keep alert year-after-year, analyzing⁹ the next administration.

 

1 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

2 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

3 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

4 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

5 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

6 unlimited   

adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的

参考例句：

• They flew over the unlimited reaches of the Arctic.他们飞过了茫茫无边的北极上空。
• There is no safety in unlimited technological hubris.在技术方面自以为是会很危险。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

9 analyzing   

v.分析；分析( analyze的现在分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析n.分析

参考例句：

• Analyzing the date of some socialist countries presents even greater problem s. 分析某些社会主义国家的统计数据，暴露出的问题甚至更大。 来自辞典例句
• He undoubtedly was not far off the mark in analyzing its predictions. 当然，他对其预测所作的分析倒也八九不离十。 来自辞典例句