Greensboro, N.C. - The tragic shooting at the Colorado movie theater has prompted an intense online debate about conceal and carry gun permits.
Gun rights advocates say:
*Criminals are less likely to attack gun owners.
*The Second Amendment guarantees the "right to bear arms."
*Most people who legally carry guns follow the law.
Opponents say:
*More guns lead to more gun crimes.
*More people will get shot.
*More arguments will turn into gunfights, meaning even more deaths.
It all comes back to one question: If more people carried guns, would it make all of us safer, especially in situations like what happened in Colorado?
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office supports people's right to carry concealed weapons, and Major Tom Sheppard told WFMY News 2, more guns can mean more safety in some situations.
"Under certain circumstances, people with weapons could stop some of these things from happening, particularly if it was clear who the shooter is. If it's not clear who the shooter is, that makes it more difficult," Major Sheppard said.
However, anti-violence advocates disagree.
"If citizens just started pulling out their gun, especially in the context of what happened with tear gas, and just mass hysteria and chaos, I can't imagine other people wouldn't get caught in the crossfire," Debra Vigliano, Executive Director of Win-Win Resolutions, said.
Both sides agree the more people who have weapons in a mass shooting, the more confusing it can be for law enforcement. If police arrive and see five people with guns, it's tougher to determine who is in danger.
WFMY News 2