Arizona Shooting Sparks Gun Control Debate

The Arizona shooting has some politicians calling for tougher gun laws. But for Oklahomans and average Americans the tragedy seems to be having the opposite effect.

Thursday, January 13th 2011, 10:41 pm

By: News 9


Dana Hertneky, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Arizona shooting has some politicians calling for tougher gun laws. But for Oklahomans and average Americans the tragedy seems to be having the opposite effect.

On the national front, reports say more American's are buying guns in reaction to the Arizona shooting.

But in Oklahoma, the folks at H and H Shooting and Sports Outlet say they haven't seen the same fervor yet.

"I have no doubt there will be a jump in this at some point, it just hasn't happened yet," said Miles Hall, H & H's founder.

Instead, Hall said there has been wide concern about anti-gun legislation that seems to have been sparked by the shooting.

"It wasn't 24 hours before the first anti-gunner started saying 'Oh my gosh, it's the gun's fault' or it's the magazine's fault or whatever," he said. "Gosh forbid we blame the guy that actually did it."

But gun control advocates argue the shooting is a perfect example of why there is a need for stricter gun control laws.

"This shooter in Arizona, he slipped through the cracks," said Nathaniel Batchelder who heads up the peace house in Oklahoma City. "He should not have had an automatic weapon. I don't know if it was a gloc, but with a thirty round clip, he was prepared to do some damage."

However, a majority of American's disagree.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken Monday and Tuesday nights, finds only 29 percent of Adults think stricter gun control laws would help prevent shootings like the one in Arizona last Saturday. And only 36 percent say the United States needs stricter gun control laws.

As far as what this means for concealed carry permits, Hall at H &H said they are already fully booked for classes, so it's difficult to tell if more people are trying get their permit. The OSBI said they won't know for several more weeks.

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