There's even a little video at the site:
News 14 | 24 Hour Local News | TOP STORIES | Shooting brings debate on assault weapons ban Shooting brings debate on assault weapons ban By: Becky Bereiter
ASHEBORO, N.C. – Authorities said the Randolph County sheriff's deputy involved in Tuesday night’s shooting is lucky to be alive after the suspects fired off dozens of rounds at him using an assault rifle.
This most recent incident opens up the issue of whether or not the public should be able to purchase these types of weapons.
Congress banned ownership of rifles like the one used in the shooting from 1994 until the ban expired in 2004. The ban was supported by the Fraternal Order of Police and many law enforcement agencies across the country.
Just last month the debate made international headlines during President Barack Obama's trip to Mexico. There, the president said he wouldn't seek a ban on assault weapons. Instead, he will be pushing for better enforcement of existing gun laws.
“Good people that want weapons, I have no problem with it. I just don't want the bad guys to have them," Randolph County Sheriff Maynard Reid said.
Meanwhile, those who sell the product agree. Joe Page, sales consultant with Powers Firearms Inc., said firearms are a hot item, but doesn't want his guns getting into the wrong hands.
That's why they run an extensive background check with the FBI on each customer before every sale.
“You're not going to be able to purchase a firearm if you have any type of serious misdemeanor crimes or felonies in your background as well as any psychological situations,” Page said. “We pride ourselves in this particular store of making sure that the people that do purchase these particular types of firearms are fully knowledgeable about them, the capabilities, what they are capable of doing.”
