thousands turned out yesterday for the event at the dulles expo center. the weather didn't stop the crowd of potential buyers that could buy things now that could soon be banned. >> reporter: the nation's gun show every time the doors open draws thousands at the expo center. >> i brought my grandsons down. like to get them a little involved in stuff like this, and not be afraid of it. >> reporter: but the clouds are overwhelming almost. mostly in part to this gun, the ar-13, a gun that if banned could put dealer, randy marurra out of business. >> it could drive us out of business. we don't need any more kicks at us. >> it's the poster child for the assault rival genre, and it was not just ar-15s flying off the stables, the magazines were in high demand, too, and with the talk of banning these as well, they were a big seller for dealers. >> if we no longer have the right to purchase our guns, that means somebody got off their butt and decided to change the constitution a little bit, and that will lead to a lot of other issues. >> unlike the show's opening

the gun show is happening at the dallas expo center, which is where northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is live tonight. >> this is the ninth year of the gun show here in chantilly. organizers expect a crowd here to be far larger than any that have had in the past. take a look around. it is hard to even walk in this room. in the two weeks since the town, and sales have increased dramatically. -- newtown, gun sales have increased dramatically. >> ask anyone attending this show -- >> it is a fear. >> the fear of being helpless. >> fear of congress reviving the assault weapons ban in the wake of the new town school shooting. >> i think as long as a talking about legislation, people keep coming and buying guns. >> well antiques and collectibles are popular, gun dealers say sales of assault rifles and ammunition have never been better. >> sales are out of this world. >> he says gun owners are stocking up before politicians can put a new bill on the table. >> there is a lot of blame to go around. it is not the gun. it is the person doing bad deeds. >> gun-control now. >> members of t

the group code pink is preparing to demonstrate outside the dulles expo center. do you remember this? this was at that nra announcement. the group interrupted that conference last week and say they want stricter regulations when it comes to buying guns. >> rules on gun shows are very loose. and feeling is that this is not a sane way to protect you and me and our kids. >> despite the protests, gun stores say they've actually seen a huge increase in sales because many fear stricter regulations in light of the newtown school shooting. >> 6:05 is our time now. we're a little more than 48 hours away if one of the biggest redskins games in five years. the skins face off against the cowboys sunday night with a division title and spot in the playoffs on the line. looks like the team will be largely healthy for the game. offensive lineman tyler -- he sat out with a concussion last week. rg3's knee is holding up well right now. they're riding a six-game winning streak heading into the matchup. >>> metro will be open late to get everybody home from the game on sunday. train

>> reporter: outside the expo center members of code pink are calling for a ban on assault rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines. >> we need a rational gun policy and we need to get that policy out of the hands of the nra bullies. >> reporter: in district heights, maryland, today about two dozen men, women and children gathered outside a gun shop they say helps contribute to gun violence in our communities. >> my nephew who lived in richmond, virginia, was killed about five years ago from a gun. so yeah, i know what it like. >> the protests will come -- what it's like. >> the protests will come. make no mistake about that, but today is prayer time. >> reporter: they say guns send too mto their graves or prison. >> my basic pint and point i try to make in my preaching -- point and point i try to make in my preaching is we must not rely on violence to resolve our problems. >> reporter: the owner of the gun store he doesn't give interviews, never has, never will. the nra back here is offering a deal, join up and get into the gun show for free. >>> the victims of a deadly accident

. >> reporter: the nation's gun show it draws thousands at the dulles expo center like craig and his grandkids. >> i brought my grandsons down. i would like to get them involved in stuff like this and not be afraid of it. >> reporter: but the crowds are overwhelming. the lines a it the checkouts, enormous mostly in part to the ar-15. a gun that is sensationalized following mass shootings. >> it's going to drive us out of business is what it is. and we don't need any more kicks at us. >> reporter: it's the poster child for the assault rifle genera a line of guns that some say has no place in the hands of citizens. although the weather was cold and wet, scores of protesters were on hand opening day. >> people back at their home have stocks and stocks of guns. >> reporter: it's not just ar-15s flying off the tables, these high-round magazines were flying off the tables. they were a big seller. >> say we no long have the right to purchase a gun, that means that somebody got off their butt and decided to change the constitution a little bit and that starts the ball rolling on other things

they met by protestors at the dulles expo center. people on both sides of the gun policy debate are saying two weeks after the tragedy in newtown, connecticut. >> closer to home, the big game on the way. what do you have? >> what game are we talking about? >> coming up in sports, it's dallas week and that means something. we'll hear from both sides on the biggest game ever sunday night at fed ex field and that is later in sports.  . >>> thousands of gun enthusiasts are converging on northern virginia for a weekend gun show and that is already underway. despite recent mass shootings, there is a huge appetite for guns in this country. >> reporter: at this weekend's gun show in chantilly, virginia, both the dealers and their customers say that they're aware of the outcry of guns and gun violence in the country right now and are unapologetic in their thinking. >> any weapons? >> reporter: there are plenty of people here. hundreds were lined up and waiting outside two hours before the doors opened. >> one of the most heavily a

debra alfarone is live at the dulles expo center in chan till lee. debra, you've already see some really dicey confrontations. >> reporter: you could say that, and i have a lot more later on. the lines are long. the voices are loud. the parking lot here is absolutely full. the nation's gun show, that's what they call it, is obviously pretty popular for gun enthusiasts and also for protesters. there's actually more gun enthusiasts than protesters. they kind of outnumbered those protesters 10 to 1 at least. but i tell you what they lost in numbers, those protesters certainly made up in that decibel level. they were loud, they were out protesting, and they basically say they want what they call the gun show loophole closed. they say guns can be sold to anyone without a background check, although people on the line that we spoke to say that's not true. code pink calls themselves a women-initiated grass-roots peace movement. they were the ones who interrupted nra president wayne la pierre's big press conference. let's hear from their organizer, and then a

biggest medical breakthrough as of late took place away from the bright lights of the capital's expo center. the live center for cardiovascular surgery recently announced its doctors had performed the first replacement surgery with a brand new full flow given the center's long history with performing such surgeries as well as developing and improving the technology it's not surprising that they were at the heart of any big news on the topic. traditionally speaking of biological valves often the best performance they're less than ideal if the patient is relatively young at the delicate tissue tends to tear as a result mechanical valves are often the way to go and that includes the latest which is just. the most recent evolution of these men made marvels the first mechanical valve was implanted back in one nine hundred fifty two. had definite limitations and drawbacks there prove that synthetic materials could be used for heart valves the idea was that improved in the one nine hundred sixty s. with the advent of the so-called caged which could be implanted inside the heart itself unlike with

this afternoon hundreds of people waited online to get into the nation's gun show at the dulles expo center in chantilly. remember today marks the two week mark since the shooting tragedy in connecticut. many gun enthusiasts say they worry that new gun control laws could be passed and as a result, gun sales are now booming. >> with all the political issues and all that i think there is more people that weren't interested in guns before and they are now. >> meantime a small group of people gathered outside of a gun store in district heights, maryland. organizers say guns send too many young people to their graves or prison. the organizers say they may hold a protest at a later time. >>> another big story tonight, over the past two decades more than 60,000 russian children have been adopted into american families, but that could change in a big way based on the latest move by the russian government. fox's amy kellogg has that story. ory. >> reporter: russian president vladimir putin signs a law banning adoptions by americans. it is named after a russian toddler who died after being left in a

. >> all you have to do is go to the dulles expo center. >> reporter: debra alfarone, 9 news. >>> still ahead, why do redskins fans hate those darn cowboys so very much? the top five reasons in tonight's let's be real. >>> and up next, we go along with the cops as they cruise area roads cracking down on those drunk drivers. their goal, keep you safe in the holiday season. >>> and if you got yourself a new tablet over these holidays, you'll want to download our brand-new 9 news app. it's your link to the latest news and weather. it works on several kinds of tablets including the ipad and kindle fire. log on to itunes, download it for free. >> 9 wants you to know police will be out in force keeping you safe over the holiday weekend. with new year's days away, they're cracking down on drunken driving and urging people to keep the partying off the roads. park police officers invited us along for the ride. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: we first met park police sergeant adam during the day. >> it's like i say to everybody. it's the front row seat to the greatest show on earth. >> reporter: but he says his

. >>> today, the nation's gun show in virginia continues at the expo center. year's event is also at the center of controversy following the connecticut school shooting. news 4's darcy spencer talked to gun owners about why they're packing the expo center this year. >> reporter: it's the second oldest gun show in the commonwealth of virginia, and talk of enacting tighter gun control laws is drawing in buyers. >> a lot of people buying the assault-type rifles because they're afraid they're going to be banned. >> reporter: this dealer says he sold every rifle but this one within an hour and 40 minutes on the opening day of the three-day show. why are so many people buying? >> one thing, fear. >> this is the logic of the leaders of the nra, to add more guns around our schools. >> reporter: there was an anti-gun protest outside the show. still, hundreds of people lined up to get in, even before the doors opened. this is the line just to buy ammunition. some folks tell me the prices for ammo have gone up in recent weeks, so they're stocking up. vendors say the crow

biggest medical breakthrough as of late took place away from the bright lights of the capital's expo center. the bottle of center for.

members of the group code pink plans to rally this afternoon outside a gun show at the dulles expo center in chantilly. organizers: fabricating four assault weapons ban and for background checks of people who by weapons at gun shows. an effort to train teachers to use guns so they can confront the assailants is under way in utah. nearly 200 teachers took a free gun training courses offered by the state was the leading gun lobby. there were taught how to safely carry a concealed weapon on the job and to protect our schools from an armed intruder. >> safety is the biggest part. to be able to use them appropriately is a high priority for me. >> utah is one of the few states where public schools allow guns on campus. it in the wake of the connecticut school student there was a push to add more states to that list. a new gallup poll finds 64% of americans think army at least one school official would be at least somewhat effective against attacks. now to a personal battle off the football field. this weekend will mark the return for the colts' head coach chuck pagano to the sidelines. that is

and there is a gun show at the dulles expo center in chantilly opening at 3:00 p.m.weekend. we have an exciting few days. >> today is good, a great travel day, making it to low 40's today with partly sunny skies. snow overnight tonight into tomorrow. twa is expected in the metro. drying up late in the day tomorrow. improved travel conditions late in the day. the redskins game will be dry and cold, low to mid 30's. >> that does it for us "good you were born an original. there's a health company that can help you stay that way. what's healthier than that?

. >> protesters made their voices heard outside the nation's gun show at the dulles expo center. two weeks after the deadly shootings in newtown, krk countering, lines at the center stretched far into the parking lot. gun show attendens and gun sales have been on the increase since the new town shootings as gun rights activists worried about tightening rules. >>> in district heights, neighbors held their own vigil. 24th doesn't interrupt anyone, but still made their presence known. prince george's county bureau chief tracee wilkins is live with how they took their message right to a local gun shop. tracee? >> reporter: organizers say that today's demonstration was not a protest, not yet, but was a vigil. they were remembering those lost in newtown. >> in we could just ring the bells on behalf of those 26 lives. >> reporter: they came to pray. no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. >> reporter: they prayed in multiple languages, in the hopes of changing minds of dealers and buyers. >> the house may not be able to agrieve for capitol hill, but we ought to be able to ag

vocal group of protesters gathered xwrout side the nation's gun show, as it's called at dulles expo center this afternoon. they held up signs and shouted into a megaphone. in the meantime the crowd interested going into the show was lined up all around the building. gun show attendants and gun sales have gone way up since the deadly shootings in newtown connecticut a couple weeks ago. gun rights activists are worried that tighter restrictions could be passed in the new year. >>> there was a solemn vigil today outside a gun shot, which called for a crackdown on gun sales. demonstrators rang bells and pray prayed it's one of the most profitable gun dealers in the nation. they called for the end to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. >> we come at this hour to condemn the use of guns in every act of violence throughout this nation and indeed this world. >> the owner of realco guns did not respond for requests for comments. a few miles away, people at target practice told us they feel for the newtown victims, but they believe in responsible gun ownership. >>> u.s. customs officials ha

. >> reporter: at this wound's gun show here at the dulles expo center in chantilly, virginia, both the dealers and their customers say they are aware of the outcry over guns and gun violence in this country right now but are also unapologetic in their thinking. >> any weapons. >> this plenty of people here packing heat. hundreds were lined up and waiting outside two hours before the doors opened. >> one of the most heavily attended gun shows on the east coast. >> with all the political issues and all that, i think there is more people that weren't interested in guns before and they are now. >> this particular gun is $#,000. >> an uzi in bob forrest's collection. he is an aviation lawyer from new hampshire. >> as you can see from just the collection here, there is everything from antique black powder muskets all the way up to modern machine guns and everything in between. -- this particular gun is $8,000. >> 92% of those surveyed support laws requiring background checks for anybody wanting to buy a firearm ate gun show like this one. >> why would we be interested in even talking about l

the social advocacy group code pink is preparing to demonstrate outside the dulles expo center today. the group interrupted the nra news conference last week and say they want stricter regulations when it comes to buying guns. members say they don't like how guns have become more and more acceptable in public places. >> when you're in union station and you come down the escalator and there's a few police with guns slung over and -- i hate that. >> despite the protests, gun stores have actually seen a huge increase in sales because many fear stricter regulations in light of the newtown school shooting. >>> scientists plan to get a better look into the mind of the sandy hook shooter. researchers at the university of connecticut will study the dna of 20-year-old adam lanza. some say the findings could help pinpoint mutations that are associated with aggressive and violent behavior. it could draw false conclusions on the genetic causes of mental illness. he's accused of killing 27 people earlier this month before turning the gun on him search and police have not revealed a motive yet. >>>

they weren't allowed to stand here by the expo center. this line was snaking is around, and this parking lot absolutely packed with gun enthusiasts and people that support gun rights, but they kept those protesters all the way down this way. it's hard to even show you. we can't even pan that far away. they kept them down by the entrance, and that led to a lot of different matches, but i'll tell you, people were driving past, throwing out couple of comments, then they kept on driving. this is, again, the first day of this gun expo. it is going to be open today until about 8:00 p.m. as you can see, pretty busy here. live in chantilly, debra alfarone, 9news. >> heated indeed. thank you debra. >>> faith-based demonstrators staged another rally at a gun dealership in district heights, maryland. members of a group representing 25 churches say they're devastated by the deadly school shooting. they offered prayers for victims and called for closing of the gun store which they say has spread so much pain through their community. >>> coming up, off

." >>> and thousands turned out yesterday for the gun show at the expo center.n't stop big crowds looking at the weapons. many fear some items could soon be banned. >> well, it's going to drive us out of business is what it is. the situation that we are in now with the economy, we don't need any more kicks at us. we need somebody that will let us alone. >> in order to change it you have to change serious stuff on tap kul hill, and you have to get off your butt, and give us, how about a budget? >> many supporting stricter guns laws on friday, but the snow hindered efforts yesterday. >> and two days from going over the so-called fiscal cliff in less than 48 hours. both the house and senate will be in session this sunday, and we could see a vote as early as today. nbc's brian moore has the story. >> as senate leaders were behind closed doors mapping out an escape from the fiscal cliff. >> the economy is growing, but keeping it that way means that the folks you sent to washington have to do their jobs. >> if the nation goes over the fiscal cliff, each side says the

. >> the crowds were so big, the lines were out the door of the expo center where it was held, it wente block and around the corner. organizers expected the crowd to be double of that last november. >> who were the people at the gun show? who are they? are they hunters? gun enthusiasts? first time buyers looking for protection? who are the folks? >> it's a diverse crowd of folks. hunters from rural virginia. couples from the suburbs of d.c., looking for handguns for self-defense, military veterans. one thing that struck me is the common sentiment that ran through the crowd. the latest push for gun control is misguided and some lawmakers in the media have unfairly scapegoated the problem. what lawmakers should be focused on are keeping the guns out of the hands of people who are mentally unstable. >> ha are the hot items? is semiautomatic, the ar-15, people are trying to get their hands on that. i haven't heard anybody in washington say they are going to take guns away. there are certain types of guns. are folks trying to get their hands on particular weapons or any weapon? >> there are

. >>> big crowds this weekend at the dulles expo, the site of what's called the nation's gun show. guns have been at the center of debate these past few weeks. >> reporter: the winter weather didn't put much of a dent into turnout at this gun show in chantilly. gun enthus he see affidavits packed inlooking to start or add to their collection. >> i do own a firearm. i was in the military. i like to come out and see what's new. >> reporter: this woman runs the show and says ticket sales are up. she points to two factors, including the calls for gun control in the aftermath of the shootings in connecticut. >> i think it's dog to make it either impossible or very difficult for them to purchase firearms or cost prohibitive. in other words, too expensive. >> reporter: there is such a demand for guns and ammunition -- >> this really is the highest we've ever seen it. >> reporter: elliott says one ammunition dealer paid for a table but ended up canceling because they had no ammunition to sell. >> i just don't think they had any stuff there. >> reporter: merlin says he is staying busy. >> our sales have really ramped u

coming to our moscone center, our convention center and lead gold certified building and i can't think of a more appropriate place to host the 2012 green build and expoonference here in san francisco with a city with more than 48 million square feet of green certified real estate. [applause] . absolutely. our innovative green building policies ensure while the city's population and economy continue to grow we are decreasing our carbon emissions and achieve a sustainable environment. for instance this requires all new buildings designed to meet the gas reduction goals. that means more than 6 million square feet of commercial space and 11,000 housing units all in the development pipeline have been designed using these principles. [applause] in fact san francisco was recently recognized by the world green building council as having the greenest building policy by any local level in the year 2011 and we just began implementing our existing commercial energy performance ordinance which helps private property owners lower energy use. through san francisco's program green sf we are making it easier for property owners to secure financing for green building

expo. a traveling exhibition dome showing off space applications and the flagship projects of the european space program. for antonio, vice president of the european commission, space is at the centeregy. >> it's crucial for our economy. it's part of the -- we want to do it for growth and jobs. to work in transport sector -- and it's very, very important for europe, also for our investment. >> the e.u. hopes that the space sector will account for 20% of its gdp by the year 2020. the u.k. space agency has been $2 billion for the european space agency programs. the space agency already contributes 9.1 billion or $14 billion to the u.k. economy. for europe investing in space is investing in the future. >>> medical marijuana is already legal in several states in the united states. now, voters in washington state and colorado have ok'd the recreational use richard branson says yes. >> simply proposed with the harder drugs is do what portugal has done and that is, you know, let the state set up clinics throughout america that if you have a drug problem, you go to that clinic. give them the methodone until they're ready to come off, and when they're ready, you use a drug clinic that costs