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Gun Groups Declare Anniversary Of Newtown Massacre 'Guns Save Lives Day'

NEWTOWN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - Some gun rights advocacy groups are calling for rallies to be held on the first anniversary of the school massacre in Newtown, Conn.

As WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported, Second Amendment Foundation president Alan Gottlieb is advocating that Dec. 14 be proclaimed "Guns Save Lives Day."

His group and other gun rights organizations argue "crazy people, criminals and gun control extremists prefer unarmed victims."

Gun Groups Declare Anniversary Of Newtown Massacre 'Guns Save Lives Day'

Dave Eckert with the Newtown Action Alliance said the effort by the gun groups is an outrage on what will be a day of peace and quiet reflection.

"Everything we plan on doing is all rooted in love for our kids and for each other," Eckert told Schneidau. "Everybody's going to handle it and mourn and remember in their own way. But the vast majority of people in the country, I'm confident, will be doing it in a way that honors the memory that is rooted in love for people," and not for the love of guns.

Newtown First Selectwoman Pat Llodra added it's disrespectful for gun rights advocates to stage rallies on the anniversary of the day gunman Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School before turning the gun on himself.

She said town residents seek quiet and privacy that day, including from members of the media.

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