PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A crowd of hundreds braved biting wind and cold Sunday afternoon to demonstrate in support of Second Amendment rights - which, speakers asserted, are threatened by bills the General Assembly will consider this session.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A crowd of hundreds braved biting wind and cold Sunday afternoon to demonstrate in support of Second Amendment rights - which, speakers asserted, are threatened by bills the General Assembly will consider this session.

The peaceful rally was staged on the front steps of the State House.

"You've got to start electing people who will do the job for you -- who are pro-Second Amendment," said state Rep. Doreen Costa, R-North Kingstown.

The rally, one of 50 such planned for every state on Sunday by Gun Rights Across America, was organized by Ed Doyle, Rhode Island administrator for the national group. Doyle, a Democrat, is running for state representative from Johnston.

State treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Gina Raimondo and Providence mayor Angel Tavares, who also seeks to be governor, were among the Rhode Island politicians the local Guns Rights Across America affiliate singled out as opponents of gun rights.

