Is gun control necessary?
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Gun control created a big divide amongst our community. Some believed a change in access could help prevent tragedies like the massacre in Connecticut. Others argued it's not the access, it's the people.
"A lot of people have the perception that it's the gun that carries out the crime in these horrible tragic events and in many places across the United States and it's not the gun that's causing the tragic event. It's the person who is behind the gun," said Representative Brad Klippert, District 8.
Representative Brad Klippert covered voter in Prosser. He didn’t want to see a change in gun access. Representative Bruce Chandler covered voters in a large portion of Yakima County. He didn't want to take a stand on gun control. He said now is not the time to make this tragedy political. Other lawmakers agreed families should have time to grieve before they took action.
"We're just in shock and I think grieving for both the parents and the children in Connecticut and I think that's the focus right now," said Representative Brad Chandler, District 15.
However, Representative Chandler was supportive of changes or recommendations schools made.
"There are a lot of schools and school districts around the state that even here in Central Washington are re-examining their security," said Representative Chandler.
Dianne Mabry grew up around guns and believed they're a necessary solution to protect our homes, families, and businesses.
"There may have been a way to prevent the tragedy that happened on Friday if someone had been armed in school and knew how to use a gun," said Dianne.
No matter where you stood on the issue, the conversation on gun control was underway.
"A lot of people have the perception that it's the gun that carries out the crime in these horrible tragic events and in many places across the United States and it's not the gun that's causing the tragic event. It's the person who is behind the gun," said Representative Brad Klippert, District 8.
Representative Brad Klippert covered voter in Prosser. He didn’t want to see a change in gun access. Representative Bruce Chandler covered voters in a large portion of Yakima County. He didn't want to take a stand on gun control. He said now is not the time to make this tragedy political. Other lawmakers agreed families should have time to grieve before they took action.
"We're just in shock and I think grieving for both the parents and the children in Connecticut and I think that's the focus right now," said Representative Brad Chandler, District 15.
However, Representative Chandler was supportive of changes or recommendations schools made.
"There are a lot of schools and school districts around the state that even here in Central Washington are re-examining their security," said Representative Chandler.
Dianne Mabry grew up around guns and believed they're a necessary solution to protect our homes, families, and businesses.
"There may have been a way to prevent the tragedy that happened on Friday if someone had been armed in school and knew how to use a gun," said Dianne.
No matter where you stood on the issue, the conversation on gun control was underway.
 All of these people comiting these shootings kill themselves as soon as someone armed arrives on the scene, so it seems anyway! So, arm teachers and allow law abiding citizens to carry anywhere, no exceptions, schools, church, court, etc.!
go back and watch the when they said he had an assault rifle hidden out side the school and that he used 2 9mm hand guns that belonged to his school teacher mother. so why is everyone talking about the gun he didn't use
@Brian I heard the same thing? Now we must listen to the anti gun people turn the story for there good. Everyone knows that the gun does not kill people, people kill people. And if you take the gun away, the bad guys will still find one to use to kill. And then I would not be able to stop them, just like in the Newtown shooting. Train and arm your school officials, to do so would stop those mad men. We are the strongest nation around because of are Guns. Use the second amendment to stop this. Are four founding fathers under God put this in place for us. To protect are country and are homes. Thanks, Brain.
Yakimajack Is talking like some kind of Communist leftist. God help him. Nick's words hit right on the money. We don't need a police state ether. Just make one or two of the schools leaders, or one of the teachers armed and trained to use it if need be. We have air marshals why not a school style one. Â
 @James Toland Why does the ultra radical right want crazies, like the one who killed those children, to have guns? Why does anyone in America need assault weapons? Why not license all guns? Yakimajack is right on
@The Old Christian @James Toland You as a Christian should under stand why we need to keep are second amendment rights. We as people have been given these rights from God. The Romans killed and tortured the Christians, chasing them out of there lands. Now days we have criminals trying to take from us what they can, a lot of times at gun point. I would want to defend my home, family, and neighborhood. Giving those who want to harm us something think about before they try. If that crazy young man knew that there would of been a chance that there was any able minded people in that school with a gun. None of this would of happened. Don't push the good minded innocent people, like the Christian and the Romans. Yakimajack is wrong and crazy! Thanks, The Old Communist. Don't let them take are freedom!
remove all assault weapon like AR15 out of the store or put a cop all day in are school around the country,,their is only a few choices and I think a cop in are school all day is the best,, we have them their for gang and drug prevention class, they are for all plublic safety, even kids, so why not just leave one on duty all day at are schools, I don't think it would be a waste of money, just look around how are city and state government waste money,,,or We can go from house to house and remove all assault weapons..laws are in place for how many round you can have in a gun and who can buy a gun, but thats just a laws,,,,these people don't care about the law,,,Â