In light of recent gun-related tragedies, many communities in North Carolina are joining the national debate over gun violence and gun control regulations. During a gun show on Sunday, a group of concerned citizens gathered at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum complex in Winston-Salem for a silent protest to express their concerns over these issues.

Around 40 Triad Residents held signs in front of the entrance to the C & E Gun show at the Coliseum on Deacon Boulevard Sunday to express how they feel about gun violence and gun control. Some of the signs read “More Guns Not the Answer”,  “Fewer Guns, More Peace”, and Teachers Yes, Guns No”.

“We just want more education for people to understand that we need common sense regulations. We need to keep our babies safe,” said Gail McNeill of Winston-Salem, who helped organize the protest group.

Another protestor, Dan Mallrey of Pfafftown said “I came out because we have to do something about all of these guns in society. Right now, my granddaughter is on the riffle team at Reynolds High School, so I’m not anti-guns but I’m against all of these high powered weapons in society.”

Inside the gun show, dozens of vendors showcased their merchandise to prospective buyers. Hunter Furr and his grandfather Kay browsed several display tables at the gun show.

“All they are doing basically right now is putting more guns in society because everyone is buying them up. That's what we are doing right now because in the future they could be gone,” said Hunter Furr.

Since the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, some vendors say business is picking up, especially with semi-automatic weapons.

Automatic weapons, including machine guns are already banned under North Carolina Law.   But most semi-automatic weapons, similar to the one used in the Connecticut shooting are legal to possess under both State and Federal law.

“There’s no need to punish the people that do what they are supposed to. If they ban AR-15s, which is an assault rifle, there are a lot of jobs in North Carolina that will be lost. Six other companies that manufacture them and they employ a lot of people. A lot of people will be without a job if they do ban these weapons,” said Joshua Davis, who works at Elite Arms & Ammunition in Thomasville.

Many gun show vendors say there are already enough safety regulations and screenings in place. Anyone who wants to purchase a firearm at a gun show has to fill out an application through the US Department of Justice. The application includes questions about citizenship, mental health and criminal convictions. The vendor then calls the FBI, who conducts a background check.

Allen Smith of Winston-Salem collects and sells antique rifles. He says more gun regulation is not the answer.

“I think it is horrible what happened, but I think it’s ridiculous to even consider that more regulations are going to make criminals abide by them. More laws will not stop the man that murdered those two fireman and his grandmother in New York,” said Smith

Winston-Salem hosts four to six gun shows each year. Many of the protestors say they want to see more gun control at the local level. But Angela Carmon, city attorney for Winston-Salem says their hands are tied.   

“Perhaps the better place to seek authority or permission of local governments to regulate is to petition members of the general assembly to grant that authority to local governments and allow greater regulation at the local level, said Carmon.

In Asheville, N.C., a member of city council is looking at a way to help stem gun violence in his community.  Councilman Cecil Bothwell is proposing a ban on holding gun shows at publicly owned buildings.

“We have a law that says you cannot possess guns or knives, other than pocket knives on city property and one thing that came to mind immediately was what about gun shows?  Yet in the past we have rented the Asheville Civic Center for Gun shows and most recently they occur at the Western NC Agriculture Center which is a state facility on land leased from the city,” said Bothwell.