Reactions mixed to President's gun control initiative

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Reactions to President Obama's gun control proposal were mixed at the heels of his announcement and as one might imagine local gun store owners are not thrilled.

People KRQE News 13 spoke to say the points are superficial and would only drive crime rates up, but they didn't disagree with everything President Obama said.

News 13 watched the president's speech with the owner of Gunhawk Firearms in Los Lunas. Owner Mark Chavez shrugged as the President makes his announcement, and employee Josh Waters said there is no way to keep guns away from criminals.

"What he's proposing is going to disarm citizens, increase crime rates and put more guns in the hands of criminals," Waters said.

Waters said he liked the thought of additional school resource officers and stricter background checks, but that's about it.

Not everyone feels the same.

"I really think we don't need guns," said Marie Chavez.

Chavez like the President's speech and favors gun control. "I think maybe banning certain types of guns or ammunition would work or only having certain types of guns that only work for a certain person who it's registered to," she added.

Arinea Salas said she likes the thought of banning high capacity magazines, ones that carry more than 10 bullets.

"Practically thinking, I think we need to limit the amount on the clip," she said. "It's not necessary to take away guns completely."

The folks at Gunhawk added that would not make a difference. They showed News 13 how quickly a person can re-load a ten round clip - it took just a few seconds.

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," Waters said. "Why take the good guy's guns away."

Calibers Shooters Sports Center in Albuquerque did not want to comment on camera, but sent News 13 a statement.

Calibers maintains the focus should be on cracking down on irresponsible gun owners, and on people who own guns illegally.  The shop also says it's time to improve the federal database for background checks, so they include mental health records and restraining orders.

Santa Fe's Mayor David Coss is one of 50 mayors from around the country on Capitol Hill Wednesday. They are pushing for stricter gun laws including a Santa Fe City proposal to ban high capacity magazines.