In a speech from the Oval Office Sunday evening, President Barack Obama said the U.S. needs to make it harder for people to buy powerful assault weapons like the ones used in San Bernardino that killed 14 people.
KMTV talked with a few gun owners in Council Bluffs, Iowa about the latest round of gun control debates and why some are starting to get worried about stricter gun laws.
“I think the problem is more the person than the gun,” said gun owner Chris Campbell.
Campbell came to this gun show worrying some gun laws may change in the wake of the San Bernardino shootings, “The gun laws being a lot more strict there would be some very possibly I wouldn't be able to buy a gun”.
Campbell was looking for an AR-10 high-powered rifle. He also has a conceal carry permit.
“It just makes me feel a little more comfortable,” said Campbell.
That feeling is shared by gun owner Charlie Christie who says he’s been in one life-threatening situation where he almost used his gun to protect himself.
“You never get up in the morning thinking, you know, who are you going to have to protect yourself from today--you never know until it arises,” said Christie.
To combat ISIS and reduce gun violence, President Obama outlines his strategy dealing with what he calls gun safety.
“Congress should act to make sure no one on a no-fly list is able to buy a gun. What could possibly be the argument for allowing a terrorist suspect to buy a semi-automatic weapon,” said Obama.
Obama also stressed the need to make it harder for people to buy assault weapons, some of which are sold at gun shows.
“There's always going to be some bad apples. There's no doubt about that and that's just kind of the sign of the times,” said Campbell.
Times may be changing but these gun-owners say the government should leave the gun laws alone.
“The government can't make a rule to protect everybody,” said Christie.
Right now it’s just wait and see if Congress will take action on these priorities or not. There’s already a bill proposed in the House to ban people on the no fly list from having guns. Last week the Senate voted down a bill that would bar suspected terrorists, felons and the mentally ill from getting guns.
