LANSING (LANSING STATE JOURNAL) - Hundreds of gun rights advocates, many openly carrying handguns and semi-automatic rifles, have gathered on the lawn of the Capitol to protest what they see as an assault on the Second Amendment.

The rally began shortly after 10 a.m., after dozens of advocates marched from Michigan and Pennsylvania avenues to the Capitol.

Many in the rally say they were attending the rally to demonstrate their right to own and carry firearms, while others are concerned about several proposed gun controls in Congress, including a ban on assault weapons. That legislation was proposed in the wake of a gun massacre in December in Newtown, Conn., that killed many elementary school students.

But Jim Gulliksen of Adrian, who was attending the rally wearing camoflauge with a modified AK-47 semi-automatic rifle strapped over his shoulder, said he believes an armed citizenry is the only way to prevent further tragedies. The sporting goods sales manager is a member of Michigan Militia Corps Wolverines, a militia group.

"If we lose our Second Amendment rights, we have no way to protect our other rights," he said.

Lansing State Journal