Hundreds packed the sidewalk along U.S. 34 next to Lake Loveland for a rally sponsored by Colorado gun rights organization Rally for our Rights on Saturday.

American flags — as well as “Don’t Tread on Me” flags, pro-Second Amendment flags and banners endorsing President Donald Trump — were flown next to the roadway by demonstrators, many of whom openly carried rifles and sidearms.

The rally was warmly received by passers-by, with many cars slowing down to honk and wave.

Rally for our Rights last visited Loveland in 2018 for two events, which drew hundreds of demonstrators.

Founder Lesley Hollywood said Saturday that she was satisfied with the turnout, and described the event as another chance for the group to connect gun rights advocates across Colorado.

“It’s a chance for people to realize they’re not alone in this fight,” she said.

“And it’s a chance for us all to say, you know, these are your neighbors and your coworkers. People don’t understand that gun owners are the same people you interact with every day.”

The group also gathered food and other items for Loveland’s House of Neighborly Service.

Velma Stapleton of Castle Rock, who attended the rally with her son, volunteered to take the items to the nonprofit in her pickup truck, the bed of which was at one point packed with items.

Stapleton said she also came out to support gun rights, and said the food drive and rally were both ways of helping others.

“Right now, with the divide in this country, people need to stand up for their God-given rights,” she said. “That’s life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Demonstrators came from across the Front Range for the event, representing a variety of political beliefs.

Logan Verrie of Colorado Springs said he and another large group of demonstrators identified as anarchists.

Perhaps fittingly, while Rally for our Rights requested that attendees not display anarchist flags, another member of their group brought one anyway.

“I abide by the natural law and not harming others,” Verrie said. “We don’t advocate for violence, and we’re not here to promote violence against the state.”

Dave Winters of Campion said he identified as a conservative, though he is not a registered Republican.

Winters wore a hat and held up a sign with messages supporting the National Rifle Association, and said he started attending gun rights rallies about five years ago.

“Everyone thinks the NRA just wants to put AK-47s in peoples’ hands, and that’s just not true,” he said, describing the various education opportunities offered by the organization.

Another demonstrator, Jamie Boonjakuakul of Longmont, carried a sign that read on one side “Gun Rights are Women’s Rights.” The other side read “Be a Sheepdog, Not a Sheep.”

“I’m out here today using my First Amendment rights to protect my Second Amendment rights,” she said.

Boonjakuakul said she became interested in firearms for self-defense and that guns enable women to defend themselves more effectively from home invasions and other violence.

She also said the mix of people who attended Saturday reflected the fact that gun owners are not a monolithic group.

“You have young people and minorities here,” she said. “It’s not the stereotype that some people have of it being a bunch of rednecks.”