Gun-rights protestors rally at Capitol

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Hundreds of armed New Mexicans flocked to the capitol Saturday to support guns rights as pressure mounts for more gun controls.

The peaceful protestors carried guns, American flags and signs in support of the second amendment.

They came from all over the state to speak out against president Obama's proposals.

On Tuesday Obama announced he wants congress to ban high-powered assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The goal is to cut down on mass shootings like the one that left 26 people dead in Connecticut.

Opponents say while they're also mourning for those victims a gun ban is not the answer.

"I don't want anybody to think that gun owners don't think that's a tragedy," Dr. Rick Morlen of Guns Across America said.  "We believe that kind of tragedy can be diminished by gun ownership."

The rally was part National Gun Appreciation Day.

One state legislator plans to introduce legislation to expand background checks to private and gun-show weapons sales while another's bill would make it a felony to enforce federal gun laws in the state.