'We went too far': Pro-gun group apologizes for planning rally at Polytechnique memorial

A pro-gun lobby group held a rally Saturday at a sugar shack near Quebec City, after facing backlash for their initial plan to hold it at a Montreal memorial commemorating the 14 women killed at cole Polytechnique in 1989.

Organizers moved the rally toNeuville, Que., more than 230 kilometres northeast of Montreal,following public outrage from politicians and gun owners when they announced their intention to gather at the Place du 6-dcembre-1989.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a "needless and cruel provocation." On Saturday, the organizers apologized for the controversy.

"We went too far," said Guy Morin, vice-president ofTous contre un registre qubcois des armes feu(All Against a Quebec Gun Registry).

"Weknew it was going to be disruptive, but we underestimated the sheer magnitude of emotions related to all of this, related to the commemorative site and we apologize."

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While the group said it expected hundreds of people to join the event, only a few dozen supporters attended on Saturday.

The rally, just four days before the28thanniversary of theDec. 6thshooting, aims to bring attention to what the lobby group calls "excessive firearm control" in Quebec.

The group is also against the province's plan to create a long-gun registry.