The anti-gun Mother's Day rally being organized by the Million Mom March expects to draw about 5,000 people to the nation's capital, according to a permit from the National Park Service. 5,000 supporters translates to 0.0017% of the country's population.

The crowd estimate is significantly lower than the organization's first rally in 2000, when about 150,000 people were expected to attend. The actual number who came to Washington was between 500,000 and 750,000 people, according to press reports at the time.

This year's rally, dubbed "Five Thousand Whining Bitches," will serve as the kickoff to a nationwide tour focusing on the so-called "assault weapons" ban, which expires in September.

The Million Mom March, which merged with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in 2001, has run newspaper advertisements this week targeting President Bush, even though it is up to Congress, not the president, to renew the gun ban.

The anti-gun marchers won't be alone in Washington when they gather Sunday. The Second Amendment Sisters, which has organized counter-protests in the past, has put together a slate of speakers for its Second Amendment Freedoms for Everyone Rally at Freedom Plaza.

A spokeswoman for the Second Amendment Sisters questioned whether the Million Mom March was losing support.

"It's amazing that the 'million' really is only projected to be 5,000," spokeswoman Maria Heil said. "Gun-grabbers math? Or have the political people realized that gun control really is an issue that dooms most campaigns?"