One of the guns for sale at a shop we visited in Livonia. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -
They're powerful and lethal, sometimes used to prevent crimes, sometimes used to claim innocent lives. Guns, rifles and assault rifles are readily available. A gun shop in Livonia sells the same semiautomatic weapons legally purchased by Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes.
"Historically it's been proven that, in fact, people that are of the criminal mind will find a way to acquire firearms," said range instructor and former Northville Township Police Lieutenant John Sherman.
He believes banning assault weapons or tightening restrictions will not prevent mass shootings like the one in Aurora.
"I really don't think that a ban on firearms is going to stop this type of horrible activity."
Legal and illegal guns are easy to get. Online sales often help people get around background checks. In Michigan, no permit or license is required to purchase rifles or shotguns, and they don't have to be registered.
A sign right outside the Livonia gun shop we visited reads "we save lives," but there's another side to this debate and another group that wholeheartedly disagrees.
"America seems to be addicted to violence. We must restrict its access to assault weapons," said Rev. D. Alexander Bullock with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
A group, including members of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition held a prayer vigil Sunday outside the AMC Star Theater in Southfield. They're headed to Washington to push for a ban and tougher restrictions. They say America's future depends on it.
"When do we say we must change our world and shape it so that no other children are worried about being killed in movie theaters?" Bullock said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
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A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
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A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
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A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
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New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
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One of the guns for sale at a shop we visited in Livonia. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
