Marin Community Clashes Over Gun Control

Marin community members clashed Wednesday afternoon during a gun control Q&A with Marin County District Attorney Ed Berberian and San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips.

One of the more outspoken audience members was Petaluma resident and NRA member Michelle Belfor Kralovec, who lived in San Rafael for several years. She expressed opposition to any kind of gun restrictions.

“You don’t punish a nation because of some horrible thing that happened in Sandy Hook,” she told Patch after the luncheon. See her speak on the topic in the above video.

Berberian voiced his support for putting in place “reasonable common-sense regulations” while observing the constitutional right to bear arms at Wednesday’s Marin Coalition luncheon presentation on gun control at Whistlestop in San Rafael. See him speak in the above videos. 

Berberian and Phillips said the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre created the impetus for the Marin County’s gun buy back program and other gun rights related discussions.

Phillips, who owns two shots and a rifle, said he agreed with most of what Berberian had to say at the event. 

During the talk, some of the roughly 25-person audience butted heads and began interrupting each other.

Near the end of the luncheon, some divided audience members agreed on one thing — gun-control efforts should focus more on education and programs targeting certain gun users such as criminals.

The county at the Jan. 15 gun buy back and $36,000 of the $43,000 that was allocated for the buyback was gone in about 90 minutes.

What's your reaction? Are you worried about guns in the U.S.? Tell us in the comments!