Personal, political reaction to more gun control

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New reaction tonight after the President called for more gun control in an executive order.

Wrightsville Beach resident Jazz Undy never thought he’d be the victim of gun violence. That was before he tried to help a woman who was robbed three years ago.

“I didn’t know at the time that they had been robbed at gunpoint,” Undy said.

That is why he said he ran after the two men and threatened to call the police.

“And he pulled out a gun and he hit me and shot me right here as he ran by,” Undy said.

That is just one of the reasons Undy wants more gun control.

“I understand it’s a constitutional right to bare arms,” Undy said.  “I understand that, but I think there are way too many guns on the street.”

Gun violence created one of the most emotional speeches for President Obama as he discussed his executive order to ramp up mental health care and add hundreds of FBI and ATF agents to better enforce current laws and focus on background checks.

“From first graders in Newtown,” Obama said. “Every time I think about those kids it gets me mad.”

“I’m glad that he got emotional,” Undy said.

Not everyone agrees.

“It’s most concerning that the president suggested to governors across the country to send the mental health information and incorporate it into the database,” Senator Richard Burr said. “That’s a blatant problem as it relates to the privacy health care laws.”

Republican Senator Richard Burr said the President’s order is just a guidance right now and not a law.

“Since I became a member of Congress, I have done everything to protect the second amendment rights of all Americans and I will continue to do that regardless of what this president’s personal preferences are,” Burr said.

For undy, the speech was personal too. He does not know the solution to gun violence, but said he is just glad we are talking about it.

“This isn’t war,” Undy said. “This is America and we come up with solutions and I want to see that dialogue going.”

The executive actions the President ordered would all require millions in funding and that must be secured by congress.