TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP -- We often hear about gun owners fighting against gun control, but one gun owner from Wyoming County is doing just the opposite. He's petitioning for more control and stricter guidelines for those looking to get a gun permit.
Markus Robinson from Wyoming County is a gun owner and avid hunter, but he believes something needs to be done when it comes to guns being put in the wrong hands. His passion to get more control on guns took him all the way to the White House earlier this week.
Robinson lives near Tunkhannock and is a gun owner. He went to Washington, D.C. this week to talk about guns with federal officials, to voice his concern on the need for more gun control.
"The very fabric of what it is to live in America is changing because of gun violence in this country and that is what we have to change," Robinson said.
Robinson was one of 13 gun owners selected from across the United States to go to the White House and talk to government officials about the need for stricter guidelines on gun control. He spoke, not only with local congressmen, but also President Obama's senior adviser.
"There are some very practical kinds of simple things that are these loopholes that allow people to get around the necessity of a background check, and all we are asking is that those be closed," Robinson said.
Robinson believes the issue is not about Second Amendment rights. It's about informing people that these guns are just as dangerous as car keys when put in the wrong hands.
"America has 20 times more gun deaths than any other western country in the world. 20 times. It's an epidemic."
Robinson points to a recent Public Policy Polling survey that found a high percentage of gun owners want to see more control on background checks.
He plans to start a petition to send to Washington.
We asked people in Tunkhannock if they would sign that petition.
"I believe that there should be stricter background checks, especially for those that may have mental disabilities and stuff, and perhaps criminal records and stuff, but overall I'm against gun control except for those situations," said Eric Kilmer of Tunkhannock.
"I feel that it is too easy to pick up a gun," said William Forester of Tunkhannock. "If I really wanted to purchase a gun, I could probably go out and find one."
Robinson tells us he hopes to see stricter guidelines enforced sooner rather than later and plans to continue his own fight to make sure something gets done.
