Gun owners speak on shootings, safety at gun show

MASON. Mich. (WLNS) — Victims statewide have talked about the horrors of gun violence in the U.S., with Michigan lawmakers even proposing bills to help prevent it.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been 131 mass shootings in the nation.

Some attendees of the Lansing/Mason Gun and Knife Show shared that they believe that gun violence is a problem and that it must end.

According to attendee Brad Wireman, gun legislation would do more harm than good.

“Any gun law is unconstitutional,” said Wireman. “My rights shall not be infringed.”

Wireman said that criminals would still be able to get their hands on guns, even if gun safety legislation was in place.

It’s been six weeks since the fatal shooting at Michigan State University, and Wireman added that while he’s not in favor of gun laws, he feels officials need to do better at reprimanding people who have a history of gun violence.

“The guy that shot up MSU illegally possessed a firearm. How about we incarcerate these people and stop giving them second chances? Guns don’t kill people, people kill people,” said Wireman. “People with issues kill people.”

Other gun owners like Ed Hook believe the proposed state gun laws don’t infringe on anyone’s Second Amendment rights.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say infringe. It definitely is going to make things a little more difficult, but I think because of the times we may need some stringent laws,” Hook said.

Some said that gun reform plays only a small part in what this country needs to do to combat gun violence.

“I think we need to take a hard look at what we are doing,” said Hook. “I think we are responding emotionally to these incidents and we’re not necessarily responding responsibly to these incidents.”

Hook suggested educating people, training people, and funding mental health in underserved communities.

“We’ve got some work to do,” said Hook. “We gotta do the work in order for our society to change.”

If you missed the show Friday, the show will also run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.