SACRAMENTO, CA - Hundreds of people marched at the California State Capitol Saturday afternoon to protest stricter gun control measures.
The protest was part of a nationwide movement called "Guns Across America" where people across the country rallied at their state capitols. The national event coordinator Eric Reed said the rallies are planned to be a family friendly events. He said the goal of the event it to show faces of thousands of law-abiding citizens who want to protect themselves, their families and property.
PHOTOS: Hundreds go to 'Guns Across America' rally
"We hope to inspire law abiding gun owners to get more involved on a local, state, and national level in protecting their second amendment rights," Reed said.
The Sacramento rally gained a lot of traction on the event's Facebook page. Petitions will be available for attendees to sign, which will be sent to their respective US Senators offices.
Several protesters in Sacramento said they feared federal gun control laws would eventually strip the Second Amendment.
"It's a way and a means to take your guns away from you, because they would like to take over and control," said Sharon Sharp, who was protesting with her daughter and granddaughters. "And I believe that with all my heart."
"You know, the 2nd Amendment protects the First and all the others," protester Jason McAtee said.
In Austin, 600 people rallied at the Texas State Capitol carrying signs like "An Armed Society is a Polite Society" and "The Second Amendment Comes from God." Meanwhile, police say hundreds more joined rallies in New England.
The rallies come after President Barack Obama announced his gun control legislation proposal. The proposal would ban assault weapons, expand background checks and restrict the capacity of gun magazines.
Event organizers had petitions available for attendees to sign, which will be sent to the U.S. Senators' offices.
News10/KXTV and The Associated Press