Minnesota Mother Invited To Obama's Gun Control Speech
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota mother was there while President Barack Obama laid out his plan for executive action on gun control Tuesday.
Diane Sellgren listened to the president speak in person, along with Gabby Giffords and other gun-violence survivors.
"It reduced me to tears listening to him, but at the same time I wanted to jump up and cheer," Sellgren said.
The president's executive actions require more gun sellers to get licenses and expand background checks. He wants more mental health funding, more ATF agents and more gun-safety technology.
"We know we can't stop every act of violence, every act of evil in the world. But maybe we could try to stop one act of evil, one act of violence," President Obama said.
The changing of the federal privacy rule to keep people with mental health restrictions from possessing guns is close to Sellgren's heart.
Her husband, and later her adult daughter, used a gun to commit suicide. Both had a history of mental illness, and both were able to purchase the gun used. Her daughter left behind three kids.
"I never want another mother or a father or sibling or child to hear their loved one is not coming home again because they were able to purchase a gun, or because someone that they didn't know was able to purchase a gun and was suffering from mental illness," Sellgren said.
Related: 'That's It?': Minn. Gun Owners React To Obama's Executive Action
At Bill's Gun Shop and Range in Robbinsdale, gun enthusiasts think the actions are modest, and will not really affect law-abiding citizens.
"I don't have a problem with more screening, especially with mental health patients," patron Kevin Wartick said.
Gun enthusiast Jim Egan says he may be in favor of the president's plan.
"Generally I'm not for a whole lot more gun control, but if it's things that close loopholes, I'm fine with it," Egan said.
Sellgren will also be involved with the hour-long televised town hall meeting on guns in America on Thursday.
