HOUSTON – In the wake of the Colorado movie theater shooting, gun control has once again turned into a hot issues for politicians and public debate.
In Texas, a person can walk into a gun shop and buy military-style assault rifles, guns similar to the one used in the theater shooting.
Local gun advocates said they see nothing wrong with that, as long as the buyer is not a convicted felon.
"Because you're a citizen and you have the right to bear arms. The Second Amendment guarantees it," said Jim Pruett of Pruett Guns & Ammo.
Certain types of AR-15s could not be sold under the federal assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004. Since then, there have been no serious legislative attempts to restore that law.
"Here in Texas, you can get a gun sneezing," said State Rep. Garnet Coleman.
According to Coleman, it is time to at least get the conversation started again. Coleman said he believes military-style assault weapons are better suited for law enforcement, not civilians.
"It's unnecessary. It's overkill. Those guns go way beyond what someone needs to protect themselves," said Coleman.