BEECH GROVE, Ind. (WISH) – Less than 24 hours after the San Bernardino, California shooting, the debate over gun regulation fired back up.
But gun shop owners worry it’s just a knee-jerk reaction that could negatively affect the industry and people’s rights. We visited Beech Grove Firearms to get some perspective on what the shooters were working with while also checking in with both sides of the debate.
When the smoke cleared after a fierce shootout with police, investigators learned exactly what they were up against. San Bernardino Police said the shooters had two assault rifles and two handguns, both purchased legally.
Inside the shooters’ SUV, police said they had 1600 bullets. While that might seem like a high number, Greg Burge, owner of Beech Grove Firearms, disagrees.
“I would draw the analogy of a dollar bill looks pretty minor, but 100 pennies looks pretty major, but they’re still the same,” he said.
Police said the shooters had 200 9mm rounds. They also had 1,400 .223 rounds. Together, the bullets could fit inside two shoe boxes.
Looking down at the packaged ammunition, Burge said, “This does not appear to be what I would deem a cache or an apocalyptic type arsenal amount of ammunition. This is just really a good day shooting on the range.”
And it’s just one reason he feels adding more gun regulation, even on ammunition, won’t stop mass shootings. But some people think otherwise.
“I think we can do more to keep our families safe,” said Stephanie Grabow. She supports the second amendment, but as a member of the Indiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, she also supports strengthening gun control.
“I think we know that in our country terrorist can buy guns legally because we don’t keep people who are on the no-fly list from purchasing guns, so maybe that’s just a reason to close that loophole in the gun laws,” she said.
Burge agreed but to an extent. “If that regulation is regulated like such as an arrest warrant or something and ran through the judicial system where they find probable cause to deny the subject his constitutional right, then I would be for that,” he said.
But even if regulations being, Burge isn’t still isn’t sure a new law can stop somebody from firing shots at a crowd.
“Just tell me what law could have been in place or was in place that could have stopped (the San Bernardino shooting). I would love that question answered,” he said.
When asked if the mass shootings or fear of regulation have caused people to buy guns or bullets, Burge said they haven’t been a factor. Instead, he pointed to everyday crime.
He said the violence people are experiencing in Indy and across the country is the reason his sales are going up.
For complete San Bernardino massacre coverage, click here.
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