AUSTIN, Texas - - Thousands of gun advocates have gathered peacefully at state capitals across the U.S. to rally against stricter limits on firearms.

The size of crowds at each location varied - from dozens of people in South Dakota to 2,000 in New York. The other largest crowds appeared to be in Tennessee and Texas.

In Arizona and Oregon, some demonstrators came with holstered handguns or rifles on their backs. At the Kentucky Capitol, attendees gave a special round of applause for "the ladies that are packin'."

Activists promoted the "Guns Across America" rallies primarily through social media. They were being held just after President Barack Obama unveiled a sweeping package of federal gun-control proposals.