A gun-rights group says North Carolina's school principals and teachers should have the right to carry concealed firearms into the classroom.

About 300 people rallied Tuesday outside the Legislative Building in Raleigh to voice support for new state laws intended to resist any federal restrictions on what several called their God-given right to bear arms.

Many carried empty gun holsters to the event organized by the pro-gun Grass Roots North Carolina to protest the prohibition of firearms on state property.

The crowd hoisted flags and signs featuring such slogans as "Guns Save Lives," as well as a placard featuring a doctored photo of President Barack Obama in a Nazi SS uniform.

Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis said last week he doesn't support arming teachers as a solution to gun violence.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.