HARRISBURG -- When the subject of handguns arises at the state Capitol, most of the recent attention has focused on Gov. Ed Rendell and other gun-control Democrats from Philadelphia who are trying to reduce the plague of deaths from gun violence in their streets.

They'd like to limit gun purchases to just one per month, and require gun owners to report to police within 72 hours after they discover one of their guns lost or stolen.

But supporters of the Second Amendment's guarantee of the right to have weapons struck back forcefully yesterday, organizing the third annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms rally at the Capitol.

Several hundred sportsmen, hunters and gun owners from around the state -- both Republicans and Democrats -- demonstrated their political power.

The rally was led by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, with several dozen lawmakers standing in support behind him. From the Pittsburgh area these included Reps. Marc Gergely, D-White Oak; Joseph Markosek, D-Monroeville; Tim Solobay, D-Washington; Jim Marshall, R-Beaver; Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods; and Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler.

Pennsylvania residents "do not need the U.S. Supreme Court, the United Nations or even the governor to reaffirm our God-given rights to defend our lives, loved ones and property," Mr. Metcalfe said.

Another speaker was conservative talk show host Alan Keyes, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 1996 and 2000 and lost a U.S. Senate bid in 2004 to Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

Mr. Keyes said, "I know the gun-control people say they care about the preservation of human life, but you cannot defend life if you give up the means of that defense," meaning giving up a firearm used for self-protection.

"In an age of terrorism we can never delegate to the government the responsibility for defense of our lives,'' he said. "I will not surrender that [freedom] which God has advised me to defend," and owning a gun is needed to defend freedom.

Last week the House soundly defeated a measure that would have required handgun owners to report to police within 72 hours after discovering a handgun was lost or stolen or face penalties. The idea was to reduce "straw purchases," where a person without a criminal record buys a gun and then sells it to a criminal who can't buy a weapon because of his record.

Also speaking at the rally was Gun Owners of America Executive Director Larry Pratt, who said, "A firearm is a tangible emblem of [the people's] sovereignty and freedom. A gun is the emblem of a free man."