Community members react to gun control issues after tragic shooting

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Just days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting people continue to grieve and wonder. Some wonder if this could've been avoided.

Law enforcement officers said the shooter, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, was armed with at least three high power guns. People on both sides of the gun control debate are talking about what they think.

"There are some ways to address it," West Lafayette Resident John Meyer said. "[There is room for limitations on] what kind of firearms that are available. I have a hard time believing hunters need these high-power automatic weapons."

"When you have guns legally licensed to a person it's very difficult to argue for change," Democratic State Representative Sheila Klinker said.

Lanza took the guns from his mother who owned them legally. Klinker expects some discussion on gun control at the statehouse.

"I'm sure there will be some discussion at the statehouse," Klinker said. "However, the general assembly does not begin until Jan. 7. There will be a lot more discussion at that time."

No matter where someone stands on the gun control issue many agree there are other issues to tackle.

"I think the mentally ill aspect of it is a huge issue," Lafayette Resident Tiffany Brown said. "Maybe we need to be looking deeper into that than who has gun control and who doesn't."

"There have been notices to the general public, family, friends, even law enforcement that people [have problems]," Meyer said. "The tools to address those problems are very limited. I would say that is the area to look into."

Klinker said she expects lawmakers to discuss reform to make sure young people with mental illnesses get the help they need quickly.