Protesters from Highland Park in Washington demanding federal ban on assault weapons
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Members of Congress are back from recess in Washington .D.C, , and so are protesters -- demanding lawmakers take action after even more mass shootings.
They are tired of feeling unsafe at church, at schools, and in other spaces. And with 164 mass shootings so far this year, they say it is time for lawmakers to ban assault weapons.
As CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reported, one protest on the National Mall was organized by March Fourth, an organization founded after the July 4th parade massacre in Highland Park last year. A sea of teal shirts with the text "ban assault weapons" in black took over the National Mall – also armed with the pictures of those lost to gun violence.
"Congress, pass this ban. Do your job," said March Fourth founder Kitty Brandtner. "Help our kids survive the school day."
The rally, dubbed Save Our Students, was organized by Brandtner. She started March Fourth in the days after July 4th shooting in Highland Park.
Seven people were killed in that massacre, and more than four dozen were wounded.
"Our students should not be living like this. Our teachers should be teaching - not hiding," Brandtner said. "This is the bare minimum action."
Lindsey Hartman was among those who made the trip to D.C. from Highland Park.
"I'm terrified every single moment of every single day," Hartman said, "because it's not if it will happen again – it's when."
Hartman survived the July 4th shooting, along with her husband, Danny, and 4-year-old daughter, Scarlett. We spoke with her the day after the shooting.
"Danny just grabbed Scarlett, and we looked at each other and like sort of locked in, and we were like, 'Run!'" Hartman said on July 5, 2022.
For nine months, Hartman has avoided large crowds. But she felt now it was time she used her voice for those who can't.
"It felt so empowering and inspiring to be around all these people who came from across the country today with that same singular mission - to make our streets and our schools in the country a safer place - by saying, we do not need weapons of war," Hartman said Monday.
A new CBS News poll finds 62 percent of Americans want to ban the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. Btu the poll also found drastic differences along ideological lines.
A total of 81 percent of liberals think the U.S. would be safer if fewer or no people owned guns. A total of 40 percent of conservatives think the U.S. would be safer if mor people or everyone had guns.
The rally Monday coincided with Congress' return from their spring break. Since the beginning of this year, there have been 164 mass shootings in this country, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Eight have been in Illinois.
