“But for a deep-seated belief in God and firearms, this country would not be here today,” Mr. Pagano declared from the church’s pulpit.

“You have become my parishioners,” he said. “I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you.”

“I am glad to be among American patriots,” Mr. Hawkins said. “Thank God for you all being here and standing up for your rights.”

Many in the audience said they were not members of the church. But they seemed united in their belief that their rights as gun owners were under threat and they had to prepare for the day when their firearms might be confiscated.

“There’s a time coming when we may need to protect ourselves from bad things in the world,” she said. “We’ve been hearing the rumors about restricting ammunition so that it all expires, so people won’t have the right to protect themselves.”