Second Amendment March held in Lansing - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/20/13) - Hundreds filled the state capitol, Wednesday, to peacefully protest the latest attempt to restrict gun ownership.

They took part in the Second Amendment March, protecting the right to bear arms.

Marchers came from all across the state to show their solidarity.

Gun owners are passionate about their rights and say they'll go to great lengths to see that they aren't taken away.

Marchers moved down Michigan Avenue, waiving American flags and holding up signs spelling out their the right to buy and possess firearms. Their final destination - the state Capitol, where lawmakers could hear their peaceful protest.

"I do believe they are going too far, because they're trying to take guns away from honest law abiding citizens, which will leave only the criminals to have the guns," said Alan Velez, of Clio.

Some brought their children and grandchildren, teaching them a real-life lesson in knowing their rights and standing up for the constitution.

"As Americans, we have the right to protect the constitution and it's our right to bear arms," said Vernon Ford, who supports the Second Amendment.

The latest round of proposals to restrict gun ownership stems from the tragic Newtown, Connecticut school shooting in December. President Obama promised meaningful legislation, which could result in bans on high capacity magazines and semi -automatic firearms and could also call for universal background checks to close gun show sales loopholes.

Rally-goers say those restrictions only penalize law abiding citizens.

"I'm here to support the people, the masses in the U.S. We need to get this stuff going, it's our right, our constitutional right to own a weapon. I don't think there needs to be a limit on what kind we have, how many we have. If you're law abiding citizens, leave us alone and go after the criminals," said Kenneth Baker, of Burton.

Paul Wolfe of Flint hopes the march to the capitol brings more awareness to what the Second Amendment really stands for.

"I'm here to support our rights. People don't understand we are losing them one shaving at a time," he said. "We are peaceful people, we are here to keep the peace. The Second Amendment isn't about hunting. If you didn't hunt when they wrote the amendment, you didn't eat, it's about governments, tyranny, invasion."

Ann McNew of Oakley believes once one gun control restriction is in place, many more could follow.

"I don't think they are hearing us. What is left still is universal background checks that always leads to a registry, which is the first step of confiscation arms from the people," she said. "We support the Second Amendment, all of our amendments and the Bill of Rights. We don't think they need to be infringed just as they were written in 1797."

Those on the other side of the argument, like Tom Moran of Fenton, are calling for safe and sensible gun laws.

"It's nothing about taking guns away from people, it's to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people," he said. "People to need to know majority of Michigan voters are behind common sense gun law changes. Eighty-six percent want to close the gun show loop hole, with universal background checks."

As bills are introduced both on the state and federal level, gun owners want lawmakers to know they're watching and will hold them accountable.