Gun advocates hold Idaho Falls rally
<p>Nick Free, front, leads the Save Our Second Amendment March with his daughter Madison, left, and his wife Teisha, center, Saturday in Idaho Falls.</p>
IDAHO FALLS (AP) - About 400 gun advocates marched in Idaho Falls during a Save Our Second Amendment rally.
The Post Register reported the group on Saturday started at the Bonneville County Courthouse steps and marched about a mile to the Shilo Inn where they listened to speeches and signed petitions in support of gun rights.
"I support having a gun in my house," said Jessica Jacobson of Ririe, who brought her three daughters ages 9, 8 and 4.
Three weeks ago about 500 gun advocates rallied in Rexburg, citing similar concerns about sweeping federal gun-control proposals made by President Barack Obama.
"I think us being here will make a point to our senators and legislators that there are people willing to stand up for their rights," Jacobson said.
"We're here to defend our liberty and freedom," said Chad Christensen, who helped organize the rally. "It's not just about guns. If our guns are gone, our freedom's gone."
Bonneville County Sheriff Paul Wilde issued a statement to rally participants.
"The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office supports your rights given by the First and Second (amendments) of the Constitution," Wilde said in an email. "I personally believe that issues surrounding guns is not a gun control issue but a violence issue. Do not blame the tool for the violent actions of the individual. We as a society need to find ways to stop the unnecessary violence that is occurring because of the irresponsible violent actions of a few individuals. I support the position of the Idaho Sheriff's Association and the National Sheriff's Association."
The Idaho Sheriff's Association supports "the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms." The association also said it "recognizes that the efforts of our state legislature, congress and president are to provide for safer communities by a reduction in gun violence. We take different paths, but the goal is the same. In order to achieve success we must work together on issues upon which we can agree. Citizens expect it and our children deserve it."
George Haller of Idaho Falls said he was worried about what he described as the federal government taking away individual rights.
"They've taken enough of our rights away," Haller said. "We need to stand up."