Americans favor stronger gun laws

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – A majority of Americans seem to want stricter gun controls.

And they also feel a need for a ban on some weapons.

These are findings in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting that left 20 children and 8 adults dead.

But there doesn't appear to be support for banning handguns all together. A majority of Americans strongly oppose that.

“Some of these things might not have happened if we had gun control earlier,” says Janet Blackmer who lives in Salt Lake County. “I think it is time. We need to really address this."

An ABC/Washington Post reflects a swing in that direction.
54% support stricter gun control. 52% support a ban on semi-automatic handguns.
59% favor a ban on high capacity ammunition clips.

”Its starting to occur more often than it used to so I don't think its a good idea to wait any longer,” says Pavel Schetinin who supports stronger gun controls.

Gun supporters say it’s not the gun’s fault that took the lives of school children in Connecticut. And an NRA member says banning certain guns doesn’t work.

”You look at the failed ban on assault weapons ten years ago …it didn't affect anybody but the law abiding citizen,” says Steve Beckstead an NRA training counselor. “The bad guys could get whatever they wanted.”

But on ABC'S Sunday talk show, gun carrying Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz says tighter controls for those who are mentally ill may be the approach to take.

”I’m a conceal carry permit-holder,” says Rep. Chaffetz. “I own a Glock23. I’ve got a shotgun. I’m not the person you need to worry about. And there are millions of Americans who deal with this properly. It's our second amendment right to do so. But we have to look at mental health access