Oregon Shooting Creates Split Among Republican Candidates
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Republican presidential candidates have waded into the politics of the Oregon school shooting with suggestions for how things could have been better.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, the shooting caused a split between Republican candidates on the campaign trail.
It began when Dr. Ben Carson suggested that victims could have rushed the gunman.
"So the idea is overwhelm him so not everybody gets killed," Dr. Carson said.
"I just don't think that is the road to go down in terms of questioning people who have lost their lives, cause you have no idea what you would do," Sen. Lindsey Graham countered.
Donald Trump tweeted his support for Carson and said the criticism was unfair.
Jeb Bush ducked a question about Carson's comment and shared his thoughts on gun control.
"I don't think you can say, taking the rights away from 99.99 percent of law-abiding citizens would have changed the outcome of those results," Bush said.
Carson also called for every teacher to have a gun in the classroom.
"The idea that you need more guns to stop people who are committing mass shootings is not only illogical, but offensive," Hillary Clinton said.
President Obama was set to visit Oregon on Friday. The trip has gotten mixed reviews from residents.
"His announcement he made about gun control and the way that coming off the first thing he said, instead of saying sorry for the families, I think it was just wrong. I think he needs to stay in Washington," Roseburg resident, Rick Sund said.
"I think it's something that's needed for the parents of the children that lost their lives to have our top man, our president come and talk to them," Jean Wiles said.
Democratic candidates debate for the first time next Tuesday. Vice President Biden is not expected to attend, even if he declares his candidacy before the debate.