About 40 Mountain Area residents gathered between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. last Saturday to support the first National Gun Appreciation Day.

Those in Oakhurst joined thousands across the country who quickly organized after President Barack Obama released details of new gun-control proposals.

"Trust Your Guns - Not the Government" and "Bad Guys Always Get Guns - Good Guys Need Them" read two of the signs. Another, with the barrel of a hand gun pointing from the sign, said "From My Cold Hands - You Come and Get it." American flags and "Don't Tread On Me" flags were also on display.

Organizer of the Oakhurst gathering was Terry Cole of Coarsegold, an Army paratrooper veteran.

"I have been a sportsman for 50 years hunting and fishing and I feel the government is trying to take away our constitutional right to bear arms," Cole said. "I feel threatened that the government is trying to change the Constitution and the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms."

Cole said the public reaction to the rally was very positive with people giving the gathering the "thumbs-up" and saying thank you for their efforts.