Gun rights rallies draw crowds to state capitols

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Hundreds of gun-rights advocates gathered in front of state capitols in northern New England as part of Gun Appreciation Day events being held across the country.

Demonstrators, many standing in the snow and some holding flags and placards during Saturday's noon-time rally in Augusta, Maine, are concerned that gun control measures being proposed in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shootings last month will erode their Second Amendment rights.

One of the Augusta demonstrators, Joe Getchell of Pittsfield, said every law-abiding citizen has a right to bear arms, and it's a constitutional right no one can take away.

Peaceful rallies were also held at capitol buildings in Concord, N.H., and Montpelier, Vt. In Concord, some of the participants carried pistols and semi-automatic weapons.