In the wake of the shooting in Aurora, some local leaders are discussing if Tennessee should alter any gun laws.
"Most experts realize we do very little to ensure that highly mentally ill, dangerous people don't get their hands on weapons," said State Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville. "This has nothing to do with law-abiding citizens. We can do expanded background checks. We can require longer waiting periods to make sure these troubled people cannot go into stores and purchase these very powerful weapons."
So far, no documentation of mental illness has been made public in the case of Aurora shooting suspect James Holmes. Steward said you can still look at other recent mass shootings to see the need for a change in laws.
"For example, the fellow that shot the congresswoman and the young girl down in Arizona had a history of mental illness," said Stewart. "The fellow who shot all those poor children over at Virginia Tech had actually been to court for his mental illness and bought a handgun and used it to murder these children trying to go to college."
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Tennessee Republican Party Adam Nickas said his party is being careful not to immediately politicize the issue during a time of mourning.
"The vast majority of gun owners are responsible gun owners, but this situation is a tragic and should not be politicized," said Nickas. "We just need to make sure our thoughts and prayers are with those families in Colorado."
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