Gun Rights At Heart Of Rally At State Capitol

DENVER (CBS4)- More than 100 people rallied on the steps of the state Capitol to show their support for the Second Amendment and their opposition to gun control measures.

The rally was scheduled during the lunch hour on Friday.

Organizers said the shootings in Aurora and Newtown, Conn. were tragic but the acts of criminals should not destroy gun rights for law abiding citizens.

"The Constitution acknowledges this right and restrains any form of government from infringing on this right. Those who have taken the oath to uphold the Constitution would be well served by sitting down and actually reading it," said gun rights activist Matthew Hess.

National Rifle Association President David Keene visited with state representatives at the state Capitol on Friday to discuss how state lawmakers will address gun control measures.

Democrats in the state House introduced bills to require background checks on all gun sales and add a new fee for those checks.

Some state lawmakers also want a ban on high-capacity magazines and a ban on concealed weapons on college campuses.