Community Corner

Does America Need More Gun Control?

In the wake of the movie theater massacre in Colorado which left 12 people dead, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called on President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney to push for stricter gun laws.

 

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is calling on President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney to propose stricter gun control laws following last week's which left 12 people dead and 59 wounded in Colorado, The Huffington Post reports

“This really is an enormous problem for the country, and it's up to these two presidential candidates," Bloomberg said, according to the Huffington Post. "They want to lead this country, and they've said things before that they're in favor of banning things like assault weapons. Where are they now and why don't they stand up? And if they want our votes, they better.”

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According to The Huffington Post, the alleged Colorado shooter, James Holmes, acquired his arsenal of weapons, ammunition and body armor over a several month period from the internet and brick-and-mortar stores alike. His purchases did not raise any red flags. 

Proponents of gun rights, however, argue that a vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens and that criminals who commit these kinds of massacres aren't obeying laws already in place so wouldn't obey stricter ones either. 

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Dudley Brown, executive director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, commented on Holmes' 6,000 rounds of ammunition for an assault rifle.

"If I only had 6,000 rounds for my AR-15s, I'd literally feel naked," Brown said, according to The Huffington Post. Holmes' arsenal included "two handguns, a shotgun and a rifle. That's the average male in Colorado."


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