REXBURG — Gun enthusiasts came from all walks of life on a gray, dreary Saturday to exercise their rights.

    Curious college students, local elected officials, gun enthusiasts, professionals and ordinary residents gathered early in front of the steps of the Madison County

Courthouse, most carrying signs, flags and, yes, guns — lots of guns.

    More than 400 in attended the SOS, Save Our Second Amendment rally.

ad organized the rally to educate and call attention to what he said are encroachments on the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution — the right to bear arms.

    Roberts stood on the steps of courthouse, holding a bullhorn, watching as still more people gathered to march up Main Street.

    “We think real true power is in Washington, D.C., it’s not,” Roberts said. “Power emanates from the people.”

    It was the first of many references that this was about more than gun rights. It was about fear of too much government control.

    Brian Hadlock said he came because he’s concerned about “the ability for one or a few people to tell the rest of the people what they can and can’t do.”

    A prayer, safety check and marchers formed up behind bagpiper Dan Muhlestein as the morning progressed. Marchers moved up Main Street from the courthouse in a line stretching so long that some cars were forced to wait for a time. Delayed drivers honked their support.

    Others, like Sabrina Lear, weren’t so sure.

    “It was crazy seeing all the people walking down Main Street carrying rifles and handguns,” Lear said. “I didn’t feel safer — I felt creeped out.”

    The rally attracted students from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Lydia Falk, a student from New Jersey said she came because “it sounded like fun.”

    Marchers circled around and ended up inside the Rexburg Tabernacle, filling the historic building to near capacity. A petition that will be sent to local, state and federal elected officials was read from the podium.

    Cheers frequently interrupted speeches, including a brief impromptu chant of “USA, USA.”

    Two people held a sign with a picture of Hitler using a Nazi salute with the words “all in favor of ‘gun control,’ raise your right hand.”

    “Libya could not overthrow a dictator recently if they had not had small arms,” said Kelly McKamey of Rexburg.

    His comment drew applause.

    Roberts closed out the rally with a impassioned rendition of Patrick’s Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. He said there could more outreach and events in the future.