Obama's Gun Control Plan Sparks Debate

President Obama's call to ban military style assault weapons is sparking debate among gun supporters and anti-gun activists across the state.

 "It's going to take more than one recommendation, policy, or idea to prevent the kind of gun violence in our country," said Jeri Bonavia, the Executive Director of Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort.

This decision comes after a gunman killed 26 people with a military like rifle at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last month.  But gun supporters say putting blame on the weapon isn't fair.

 "Banning a particular type of rifle and magazine without a particular capacity really isn't going to solve the problem," said Don Kelly, a member of the Brown County Sportsmen's Club.

Don Sanders, a gun owner, "People are always going to have a way to get a hold of a weapon regardless of what it is.  Assault gun, rifle, handgun, there's always a way to get a hold of them."

Nearly 800,000 households in Wisconsin have a rifle.  At Brown County Sportsmen's Club, they stress safety first when it comes to guns.

 "If members of every family that were trained in gun safety and did have responsible ownership of a gun we'd see less crime," said Kelly.

But those who support Obama's plan say banning assault like weapons is a step in the right direction.

Tracy Kirkpatrick, a supporter of Obama's plan, said "You put forth rules and regulations to make it safer.  It's there but you have to have things to control the outcome of the use of those options."

 Regardless of what side of the issue you're on everyone agrees something must be done.

Bonavia said.  "The vast majority of gun owners really want to be part of the solution and I think that's encouraging to moving forward."