Local Gun Owners React To SAFE Task Force Announced By Christie
By Robin Rieger
GLASSBORO, N.J. (CBS) – Some gun owners, at Bobs Little Sports Shop In Glassboro, say stricter gun legislation in New Jersey or elsewhere isn't the answer to violence in our society.
Charles Crumbley says changing that alone is shooting at the wrong target.
"It can't be the gun you know it can't be the gun, it has to be about the individual," said Crumbley as he was applying for a permit to buy his first gun.
He commends governor Christie's announcement Thursday that instead of immediately enacting new stricter legislation, a task force will take a comprehensive look at the causes of violence in our society. (see related story)
It will include a review of New Jersey gun laws, security in New Jersey schools and mental health issues in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut.
"A normal person, I don't think, wouldn't think to do those kind of things," said Crumbley.
"We must examine the usefulness and effectiveness of our gun laws while at the same time examining and looking not only to treat effects that guns have on our society, but the causes that bring people to violent conduct in the first place," said Christie during a news conference Thursday.
New Jersey's gun laws have been called some of the toughest in the nation. Gun shop owner Guy Petinga of Lady Liberty Gunsmithing LLC says as strict as it is it doesn't require owner training and it should.
"Quite frankly, I've sold a gun to a lady she had never fired a gun in her life," said Petinga.
He also says laws regarding crimes committed with a gun should be more strictly enforced.
"Where they get the guns from, they're stealing them, and when they get arrested why aren't they in jail," said Petinga.
Governor Christie says the task force, made up of law enforcement, education, addiction and mental health professionals, will come back to him with recommendations in 60 days.
