AUGUSTA, GA (WFXG) -
This weekend's Augusta gun show is not a
new event for the city but recent concerns about gun control laws brought a new
type of crowd.
"We've seen tremendous support from
people in the CSRA for this show," said Larry Stevenson, Gunrunner Show
owner & CEO.
Recent fears of stricter gun control
laws brought twice as many people to the show this weekend, including victims
who have been targeted.
"If I hadn't had an AK- 47, there
would have been a shoot-out and she would have been executed on the spot,"
said home invasion victim Cliff Shaffer.
Jennifer Barnes and her boyfriend, Cliff
Shaffer, were victims of a home invasion in Grovetown back in 2011. Barnes
answered the doorbell only to see four teenagers pointing a gun in her face and
telling her to lie down.
"It's hard to believe that someone
is coming into your home at your face with a gun and you've only got a few
seconds to decide what to do," said Barnes.
The recent shootings at Sandy Hook
Elementary School and Aurora, Colorado have sparked a national debate on gun
control laws.
Shaffer believes having his gun saved
their lives and says there is a different issue. According to the police, the intruders
had weapons that were already illegal.
"The two guns that were used in
this [home invasion] were illegal; they were stolen," said Shaffer.
"Criminals don't come to gun shows
to get guns; they don't come to gun stores
to get guns, they break into people's houses," said Stevenson.
An all but true reality for Barnes who
fears the worst if gun laws become stricter.
"You're going to disarm an entire neighborhood;
no one is going to be able to protect each other," said Barnes.
However for Barnes and Shaffer, shopping
for protection at the gun show made them feel a little safer.
The
four teenagers who
were accused in Barnes' home invasion were convicted on five counts, including
possession of firearms and aggravated assault.
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