Gun

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- Guns were going to the highest bidders at Saturday's gun auction in Bolivar. Organizers of the Diamond S gun auction say events like this usually draw big crowds- but not quite this big. About a 1,000 people showed up at the auction. With the fears over gun control laws, folks say they're buying up guns and ammo however they can- while they can.

OZARK -- Even on a Wednesday night, The Sound of Freedom USA in Ozark was a popular place for people to get in a little target practice. It was not just adults, though, who were firing off rounds. Sharing a love of shooting is a family tradition for many, but if recent gun sales are any indication, it could be becoming even more popular. Tara Teeling never thought she'd be into guns. "I used to be scared of them actually. I used to be really scared of them," said Teeling.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. -- Once prohibited in Arkansas, guns are now permitted in houses of worship after Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe on Monday signed the Guns in Churches bill into law. Now that the measure is in the law books, churches can decide for themselves whether they want to allow members to conceal and carry.     For Berryville Christian Fellowship pastor Dale Price, there's no question. "Kind of conflicts with Though Shall Not Kill. I mean, I'm sure that you could justify it with self defense and every man has to live with his own conscious," said Price.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo  -  Recent shootings in theatres, malls and schools have many clamoring for the government to evaluate the country's gun laws. Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein says she'll propose legislation next year that would ban new assault weapons. She also wants to see a ban on big clips, drums and strips of more than ten bullets. Police say when Adam Lanza carried out Friday's massacre he was armed with a semi-automatic assault rifle and two pistols. All three of the guns were legally purchased by his mother.  The issues is definitely sparking discussion here in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo - There are two things showing no signs of cooling off: the heated gun debate, and hot sales of guns and ammo. "We probably get 100 phone calls a day," stated Brent Ball, owner of 417 Guns.  "We got 5,000 rounds of 22 (mm) the other day. It was gone literally in two minutes.  It was crazy, it was just like a  mad house. " Gun owners are buying like there's no tomorrow- because they're not sure what tomorrow holds for their rights to bear arms. "There is so much rumor right now is the problem.  What is actually out there and what is coming it goes back and forth daily almost," said Ball.

OZARK, Mo. -- Anti-gun control rallies were held on Saturday across the country as part of National Day of Resistance. In Ozark, hundreds of people gathered at the "Sound of Freedom" gun range.      The protesters say President Obama violated the Constitution when he issued 23 executive orders on gun control. "And we want to be able to protect ourselves, no differently than the police, no differently than the military. We want to be able to have the tools to afford our self-protection.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - St. Joseph police are investigating after a father accidentally shot his 11-year-old son in the cheek while discussing gun safety.   The St. Joseph News-Press reports that the boy sustained serious injuries Friday night while cleaning guns and planning a hunting trip with his father.   Det. Richard Shelton says "ironically enough" the father and son were discussing gun safety at the time of the shooting.   Shelton says the projectile lodged below the boy's jaw. The boy was able to walk to the ambulance.

Accidental shootings happened at three gun shows across the nation on Saturday.  In North Carolina, a shotgun went off as the owner was unzipping the case to have the weapon checked by police.  Three people were hit with bird shot pellets. One person was hit in the stomach, and two others in the hand. No one was seriously hurt.  The owner said he was intending to sell the shotgun at the show.  A witness said he was about to enter the building when he heard a loud pop. "Honestly, most people didn't realize what happened.

WILLARD, Mo -- Willard city leaders might soon be allowed to bring a gun to city meetings.  Some city leaders say they want to protect themselves in a dangerous situation. If it's approved, the mayor, aldermen and with the city clerk could pack heat.  The mayor says for him, it's the right decision. Aldermen will vote on the ordinance Monday night.      

SPRINGFIELD, Mo -- The Connecticut school massacre is reigniting the gun control debate across America, including right here in the Ozarks. "We are pro-guns.  We feel if everyone is armed, nobody is going to be unprotected," said mother, Amy Barnett. She believes guns can keep her family safe. "I don't want our rights to be taken away, but I don't want everyone to have the right to walk into a mall, movie theater or kindergarten class and shoot everyone there," said Barnett.