(CNN) President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that Democrats in Virginia are trying to take away 2nd Amendment rights, as thousands of gun-rights advocates descended on Richmond to oppose legislation that would restrict access to firearms in the state.

"The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights. This is just the beginning. Don't let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!" Trump tweeted on Monday.

Virginia Democrats have advanced gun control measures in the 2020 legislative session.

The Virginia Senate, along party lines, approved several gun measures last week, including background checks for private firearm transfers, limiting gun purchases to one handgun a month and allowing localities to ban firearms in public during a permitted event.

The bills now head to the Virginia House of Delegates.

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