<p>Two men were charged with gun offences in Philadelphia on Friday after they were arrested the previous night near a vote-counting site that has become a focal point for election-related protests, according to the city district attorney's office.</p>.<p>Antonio LaMotta, 61, and Joshua Macias, 41, allegedly drove to Philadelphia from Virginia in a Hummer SUV and had two loaded semi-automatic handguns, one semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle and ammunition, the district attorney's office said.</p>.<p>Pennsylvania has become one of a handful of states that could decide the US presidential election following Tuesday's vote. If Democrat Joe Biden can retain a narrow lead in that state over Republican President Donald Trump, it would give him the presidency.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/philadelphia-police-probe-alleged-plot-to-attack-vote-counting-venue-912377.html">Philadelphia police probe alleged plot to attack vote counting venue</a></strong></p>.<p>Protesters supporting both candidates have gathered outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center in recent days for what have been largely peaceful demonstrations.</p>.<p>LaMotta and Macias were each charged with carrying a concealed firearm, a felony, and carrying a firearm on public streets or property, a misdemeanour.</p>.<p>Local media reports showed stickers on the suspects' vehicle promoting QAnon, a pro-Trump online conspiracy theory. The unfounded theory posits that Trump is secretly fighting a global cabal of child-sex predators that includes prominent Democrats, Hollywood elites and "deep state" allies.</p>.<p>Facebook and Twitter accounts that appeared to belong to LaMotta show numerous postings related to the conspiracy theory.</p>.<p>"QAnon is a positive military operation that is working to take down the deep state," reads one April Facebook post.</p>.<p>Anita LaMotta, the suspect's mother, told Reuters in a telephone interview that he had travelled to Philadelphia because "he wanted to help" in the event riots broke out.</p>.<p>LaMotta and Macias did not respond to requests for comment. It was not immediately clear whether they have attorneys.</p>.<p>Macias billed himself online as a strategic adviser for a grassroots group called Vets for Trump. A group spokesman said Macias was no longer affiliated with them. </p>
<p>Two men were charged with gun offences in Philadelphia on Friday after they were arrested the previous night near a vote-counting site that has become a focal point for election-related protests, according to the city district attorney's office.</p>.<p>Antonio LaMotta, 61, and Joshua Macias, 41, allegedly drove to Philadelphia from Virginia in a Hummer SUV and had two loaded semi-automatic handguns, one semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle and ammunition, the district attorney's office said.</p>.<p>Pennsylvania has become one of a handful of states that could decide the US presidential election following Tuesday's vote. If Democrat Joe Biden can retain a narrow lead in that state over Republican President Donald Trump, it would give him the presidency.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/philadelphia-police-probe-alleged-plot-to-attack-vote-counting-venue-912377.html">Philadelphia police probe alleged plot to attack vote counting venue</a></strong></p>.<p>Protesters supporting both candidates have gathered outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center in recent days for what have been largely peaceful demonstrations.</p>.<p>LaMotta and Macias were each charged with carrying a concealed firearm, a felony, and carrying a firearm on public streets or property, a misdemeanour.</p>.<p>Local media reports showed stickers on the suspects' vehicle promoting QAnon, a pro-Trump online conspiracy theory. The unfounded theory posits that Trump is secretly fighting a global cabal of child-sex predators that includes prominent Democrats, Hollywood elites and "deep state" allies.</p>.<p>Facebook and Twitter accounts that appeared to belong to LaMotta show numerous postings related to the conspiracy theory.</p>.<p>"QAnon is a positive military operation that is working to take down the deep state," reads one April Facebook post.</p>.<p>Anita LaMotta, the suspect's mother, told Reuters in a telephone interview that he had travelled to Philadelphia because "he wanted to help" in the event riots broke out.</p>.<p>LaMotta and Macias did not respond to requests for comment. It was not immediately clear whether they have attorneys.</p>.<p>Macias billed himself online as a strategic adviser for a grassroots group called Vets for Trump. A group spokesman said Macias was no longer affiliated with them. </p>