10 years after VA Tech shooting: How gun laws have changed

Mass shootings such as the one on Virginia Tech could be prevented if more citizens have guns to take down shooters, said Erich Pratt, head of Gun Owners of America, a pro-gun lobby representing 1.5 million members and activists across the USA.

10 years after Va. Tech shooting: How gun laws have changed

The [Virginia Tech] shooting and [resulting gun control] motivated gun advocates. While petitioning Washington to loosen gun laws, gun rights lobbyists turned their focus to the states, helping to pass new, liberal gun laws in several states, said Erich Pratt, head of Gun Owners of America, a pro-gun lobby representing 1.5 million members and activists across the USA.

Mass shootings such as the one on Virginia Tech could be prevented if more citizens have guns to take down shooters, Pratt said.

“There has been this crescendo of mass shootings that have driven people to say, ‘We need more lawful people who can protect themselves and stop these things,’” he said.

To date, 14 states have passed “constitutional carry” laws, allowing gun owners to carry weapons without permits, with most of those laws passed after the Virginia Tech shooting, he said. In addition, 10 states allow guns on public university and college campuses.

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