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Sheriffs try to determine what to do about gun laws
(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - House Democrats are presently getting ready to roll out 15 gun control proposals in line with executive actions already laid out by President Obama.
The plan was written by a dozen House Democrats and is due to be released on Thursday.
The restrictions are expected to include a ban on so-called assault weapons.
But many across the country believe the government is going overboard with gun legislation.
Now, at least one Sheriff in West Michigan is pushing back.
Sheriffs across the country have been talking about the constitutionality of whatever gun control legislation may come out of Washington, so we talked with Sheriffs across West Michigan to get their take.
As you can imagine, their opinions varied greatly, but they all seem to agree that gun control is more easily handled at the local level.
"There's a lot of questions right now about whether or not they even have the authority to make bans across the country," says Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf.
Sheriff Leaf says authority or not, some gun enthusiasts are waiting for someone to come for their guns.
Despite that, he says he doesn't believe it will ever happen.
Sales at Bob's Gun and Tackle in Hastings, however, indicate that many are expecting some kind of ban.
Manager Steve Hayes said that gun sales have been up "substantially," and indicated that anything semi-automatic is selling.
"The AR-15s are really scarce," Hayes said. "They seem to go away about as fast as we can get them in."
If Washington does ever pass more gun control, Leaf doesn't have faith that it will effect change.
"I haven't seen anything yet that has convinced me it would stop any of these school massacres," he said.
Something else the Sheriffs we spoke with agreed on was that it would help if they were all on the same page.
As a result, as they wait for D.C. to act, they are also waiting on guidance from the Michigan Sheriff's Association.
Sheriffs try to determine what to do about gun laws
(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - House Democrats are presently getting ready to roll out 15 gun control proposals in line with executive actions already laid out by President Obama.
The plan was written by a dozen House Democrats and is due to be released on Thursday.
The restrictions are expected to include a ban on so-called assault weapons.
But many across the country believe the government is going overboard with gun legislation.
Now, at least one Sheriff in West Michigan is pushing back.
Sheriffs across the country have been talking about the constitutionality of whatever gun control legislation may come out of Washington, so we talked with Sheriffs across West Michigan to get their take.
As you can imagine, their opinions varied greatly, but they all seem to agree that gun control is more easily handled at the local level.
"There's a lot of questions right now about whether or not they even have the authority to make bans across the country," says Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf.
Sheriff Leaf says authority or not, some gun enthusiasts are waiting for someone to come for their guns.
Despite that, he says he doesn't believe it will ever happen.
Sales at Bob's Gun and Tackle in Hastings, however, indicate that many are expecting some kind of ban.
Manager Steve Hayes said that gun sales have been up "substantially," and indicated that anything semi-automatic is selling.
"The AR-15s are really scarce," Hayes said. "They seem to go away about as fast as we can get them in."
If Washington does ever pass more gun control, Leaf doesn't have faith that it will effect change.
"I haven't seen anything yet that has convinced me it would stop any of these school massacres," he said.
Something else the Sheriffs we spoke with agreed on was that it would help if they were all on the same page.
As a result, as they wait for D.C. to act, they are also waiting on guidance from the Michigan Sheriff's Association.
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