Gun Control Argument Heats Up After Conn. Massacre

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The issue of gun control is heating up again in California, and nationwide, after a Conn. elementary school massacre left 28 people dead, including 20 children, on Friday.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas called for decisive action to address the flood of weapons in America.

"We have a profound crisis in our nation with respect to gun violence," said Ridley-Thomas. "The over-concentration of weaponry that repeatedly is used in these kinds of acts of violence is compelling enough for us to move swiftly."

Laurie Saffian, the Board President of Women Against Gun Violence, declared it's time for the killing to end.

"We need to put together common sense, reasonable legislation that will keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them," said Saffian. "We would like to see the assault weapons ban reinstated nationally."

The ban, which was authored by Calif. Senator Dianne Feinstein, expired eight years ago.

"I will do another assault weapons ban," said Feinstein.

Civil rights attorney Bobbie Ross, who is active in litigating many gun rights cases, said the problem isn't the guns—it's the shooter.

"It's not the gun's fault. It's the individual. It's a matter of what can we do to help people to prevent this from happening again," she said.

Ross continued, "People are so quick to blame the gun. Instead of focusing on what can be done to prevent it or helping the families, we get people using it for political gain."

The National Rifle Association said this is not the time for a political debate on gun control.

Calif. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said this is exactly the time to discuss the issue.