Gun rights activists rallied at the Capitol against state and federal proposals to restrict sales of certain firearms and expand background checks for gun sales.
About 100 people gathered Friday outside the statehouse, some with handguns in holsters and several carrying hunting rifles or military style semiautomatic rifles.
It's legal in New Mexico to openly carry a loaded firearm, including at the Capitol.
A group called Stand Your Ground New Mexico organized the rally. Co-founder Bob Wright of Eunice said gun owners must oppose additional changes in firearms laws and deliver that message to elected officials.
Lawmakers are considering proposals to stop the sale of assault weapons and expand background checks at gun shows but the measures face difficulty in the Legislature, which traditionally has opposed gun law restrictions.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.