What do local gun advocates have to say about President Obama's gun violence initiative announced Wednesday? For such an emotional topic enthusiasts say they think this is all happening quickly and leaves them asking a lot of questions.
With a gun in his hand since age 13, Michael Craig is now president of the Oak Hill Gun Club in Blue Grass. The private range is about 450 members strong. Craig's initial reaction to Wednesday's 23 executive orders and half-dozen other legislative proposals to curb gun violence is that President Obama was too quick to pull the trigger.
"A good way to put it would be a knee jerk reaction, it's hasty. I think that they're not going to solve the problem," said Craig.
Some of it he's on board with, like better background screenings, initiatives like resource officers and training at schools, and mental health measures. There are a few parts of the plan, however, that concern Craig.
"I don't understand their definition of assault weapons. My pocket knife could be an assault weapon, my 22 pistol could be an assault weapon if I used it the wrong way."
If Congress approves an assault weapons ban and a 10-round limit on ammunition magazines that impacts what gun owners can purchase, possible what they can use. For instance hunters, in areas that have rifle seasons. Something like an AR-15 rifle with a 25-round magazine clip isn't uncommon and isn't cheap.
"Unless you're going to give me a replacement I'm not giving it up. It's foolish," said Craig.
Craig says he'd just like to see more effort in coming up with something that impacts so many.
