By Virgil Dickson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

More than 100 people rallied against gun violence yesterday outside a gun store in Prince George's County that has been linked to scores of weapons used in crimes.

The event near Realco, in the 6100 block of Marlboro Pike in District Heights, was sponsored by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence along with local chapters of Million Mom March and the support of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

Similar rallies were held across the United States yesterday, the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 March on Washington and the 1955 murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi.

In 2006, 135 guns used in crimes in Prince George's were traced to Realco, more than three times as many guns as could be traced to any other dealer, authorities said. In the District, 204 guns were traced to Realco last year, four times as many as were linked to the next biggest dealer.

"Too many guns have been sold from this establishment," said Kimberly Marcus, executive director of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's Public Policy Institute.

Greg del Real, president of Realco, defended the store in a written statement. "For 35 years we have been on the frontline in the struggle to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and other prohibited persons," he said in the statement. "All firearm purchasers are subject to stringent background investigation and approval procedure conducted by the FBI and Maryland State Police prior to taking delivery of a firearm."

One of those at the rally outside Realco was Joy Little, 27, of the District, who said she lost a good friend to gun violence a few weeks ago. She said that she was happy with the turnout but hopes that politicians will follow up on promises to take action.

"It's not about what's going on right now; it's about are people going to follow up," she said.

Shanda Smith, of Mothers on the Move Spiritually, said she lost her 14- and 19-year-old children in one day because of gun violence 13 years ago. Since then, she said, she has dedicated herself to making sure guns don't end up in the wrong hands.

"I buried both my kids on the same day," Smith said. "We are all here today because we want to hold somebody accountable."

Among those supporting the rally were Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey (D), U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) and D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8).

On the other side of the store was a smaller demonstration of people who oppose stricter gun laws. Jeff Knox, director of operations at the Firearms Coalition, based in Manassas, said that guns are not to blame for people's actions.

"There are thousands of funerals I haven't had to go to because they were able to fend off an attacker with a gun," Knox said. He added that his mother and two of his sisters were able to defend themselves thanks to the guns they had in their homes.