(USA Today) Thousands of gun rights supporters gathered at state capitols around the country Saturday to rally against new laws to regulate on firearms proposed by President Obama in the wake of last month's school shooting in Connecticut.
The crowds included people of all ages, some waving flags and holding signs saying "Don't Tread on Me" and "Stand behind the Second Amendment."
A recurring message was that responsible gun owners should be left alone.
"The current administration wants to control every aspect of our lives," Alabama Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan said to the crowd at the state capitol in Montgomery. "We need to use our state motto — 'Dare to defend our rights.' "