Thread by @GPSJenn

Some thoughts on the scene yesterday at @RIHouseofReps for the gun bill vote where hundreds of progun extemists filled the halls, chanting loudly "we will not comply". I woke up today with that chant still ringing in my ears. A thread: 1/
@MomsDemand #RIPolitics

Mob mentality = large and disorderly crowd of people, especially one bent on riotous or destructive action.
The riotus part of this definition correlates with what I saw happening at the RI statehouse yesterday. 2/

For the progun folks, their recruitment messaging had was filled with anger, profanity, and a subtle call for violence. 3/

Then, in the RI State House, they chanted endlessley "we will not comply" meaning that if the gun laws change, they will no longer follow the law. Hence their favorite phrase ("We are law-abiding gun owners") goes out the window. Kinda self defeating. 4/

I struggle to describe the hostility towards us. Shoving cameras in our faces. Telling us the opiods are the real problem. Shouting at us "shall not be infringed!". Telling us we are horrible mothers. Telling us how many AR-15s/HCMs they own.
The intimidation is real. 5/

Reporters in the building failed to capture that vibe in their reporting. On the news, it looked tame. It was not tame. Cops had to be called in several times to de-escalate.
@AnitaBaffoni @FitzProv @kathyprojo Was it just another day at work for you, no biggie? 6/

Then after the vote, they turned on their leader. An angry mob turned on the head of the 2A coalition, screaming at him. It was ugly; frightening. A Mob. 7/

Are these people the kind of people who should be allowed to own AR-15s and their lethal accessories? And carry them around? That is what today's votes are about. @RIHouseofReps: Vote YES on all 3 gun safety bills. Vote yes for public safety. /end @MomsDemand #RIPolitics