Many people rallied in downtown Seattle in a march to ban semi-automatic weapons the day before state legislature convenes on gun control.

The Washington CeaseFire organization sponsored the Stand Up Washington march Sunday afternoon.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News spoke with a supporter, Erica Sciara, who said the rally was her first, and gun violence has been bothering her for years.

“I think there are more rational, reasonable people who understand the difference between assault weapons and other types of guns you might have for hunting purposes,” said Sciara.

Gun control advocates said the nation has been held hostage by the National Rifle Association.

“People are fed up and they want to take their country back. They want a civil society rather than the armed society vision of the NRA,” said Ralph Fascitelli of Washington CeaseFire.

Washington CeaseFire said the state has some of the loosest gun laws in the country, and activists want the state legislature to ban the sale of military-style assault weapons. They also want the gun show loophole closed.

Several Seattle City councilmembers were at the rally to show their support.

“We believe gun violence is a public health crisis in our country, and we can do something about that,” said Tim Burgess of the Seattle City Council.

Some members of a gun-rights group, Open Carry, were present at the rally.

“The main thing I would agree with is the right to speak their mind,” said gun rights supporter Robert Stratton.

Organizers estimated about 1,500 people at the rally.