LANSING, MI — They came from all across Michigan, p

istols strapped to their waists and legs, rifles slung over their shoulders.

Some were semi-automatic, most were loaded.

For Alan Graham, Johann Deffert and Sandi Beahan, it was a “second Christmas."

“It’s wonderful to be around like-minded people who understand how the government should work,” said Deffert of Grand Rapids, who added that there was a diverse group of people at the rally.

Some 200 people came to the Capitol in Lansing on Tuesday for the annual event to raise awareness about the Second Amendment and gun ownership.

While many gun ownership issues are federal, there are several bills that have moved or are moving through the state legislature, including making gun ownership records confidential, lifting a ban on short-barreled shotguns and clarifying.

"We're trying to get pistol-free zones removed, get rid of the (county) gun board, and make it easier to get a CPL and not quite as expensive," said Beahan, who was carrying a loaded M1911 pistol and AR-15 rifle.

Sen. Mike Green spoke about the legislation he is working on during the rally.

"You're here, you're here in force and you are here defending what you think is right," said Green, a Republican from Mayville.

Green said the bill package will provide the "strongest privacy protection for gun owners in our state's history."

Green added: "We couldn't have done it without all of our states guns groups and members standing together, united."

The rally comes more than a year after the

mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, which left 26 dead. A national debate over gun control was

renewed, but hasn't produced any new legislation or law.

In the crowd was Jerry Bretz, a 54 year-old Chrysler employee from Rochester Hills who was holding a sign with photos of President Barack Obama and Adolf Hitler.

"What it means to me is that in Nazi Germany, one of the first things they did was outlaw guns," said Bretz."How could they defend themselves?"

Most guns were banned after World War I to comply with the Treaty of Versailles, which dissolved the German military. The ban eroded like the rest of the treaty did, and with the rise of the Nazi Party in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Bretz said the sign and photo are for dramatic effect and he doesn't think that Obama is like Hitler, besides the fact that both are "tyrannical."

Are there parallels between the U.S. and Nazi Germany?

"I do. I think it's a stretch, I don't think it's imminent, but I think if we keep eroding the constitution," said Bretz. "I just don't see politicians in Washington believe in the constitution. Once you get away from that...who knows what's going to happen?"

The march was organized by various state groups, including the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners and Michigan Open Carry.

Police response

The Michigan State Police had an increased presence on the Capitol lawn for the rally. First Lt. Brody Boucher said executive government buildings are not a weapon or pistol free zone.

“These people are here to peacefully assemble and that’s what they are doing,” said Boucher.

He said the MSP has never had any issues during the gun rallies.

“Our presence here today is to really mitigate any concern a citizen may have who isn’t used to seeing firearms being open carried.”

Six classes from two schools in St. Clair Shores and New Baltimore canceled because of the rally, said Barb Thumudo with the Capitol Tour Service, but ten student groups did take tours.

Note: Language in this story about legislation related to gun ownership has been updated.

Fritz Klug is a news buzz reporter for MLive. Contact him at fklug@mlive.com or 269-370-0584. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or App.net.