Gun debate continues in Miami Valley

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Dozens of people came to Courthouse Square in downtown Dayton Saturday for the National Day of Resistance to rally support for the Second Amendment.

"This is about defense of a right that our founders understood would preserve a nation," says former Ohio State Representative Seth Morgan.

Saturday's demonstration was one of dozens across the country.

Its goal, to rally opposition against the proposed gun laws and raise awareness of what gun-rights supporters say are attacks on their right under the U.S. Constitution to keep and bear arms.

"I would like people to know that when the citizens are free to carry, concealed or open, that crime rates drop, assaults drop, rapes drop," comments Christine Wilson.

"I think that we should be allowed to own guns because we should be allowed to protect our families and ourselves," explains Kelli Heller.

This rally comes on the heels of four deadly shootings in just a few days here in Dayton.

Marlon Shackelford is a part of the Community Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence.

"We need people control.  We need to sit people down and deal with some of the psychological stuff.  Because people are hurting and it crosses streets.  You know, It can be the suburbs, it can be the inner city," say Shackelford.

The date 2-23 is significant for this nationwide effort.  It represents the the same caliber used in the common AR-15 firearm at the center of gun control debate.