UNION COUNTY — A majority of of the participants in an online poll conducted by The Union Daily Times believe that a person who buys a gun of any sort should have to undergo a background check and a gun safety program.

The massacre at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 12, 2012, reignited the debate over gun control and a concurrent debate over how to best secure America’s schools to prevent a recurrence of such atrocities. The steps proposed in the massacre’s aftermath include bans on assault rifles, semi-automatic weapons and large ammunition clips.

Union Public Safety Director Sam White has suggested that a possible alternative to such bans would be to require people who buy guns to go through background checks and gun training and safety programs. He said this would be similar to the process people applying for concealed weapons permits go through and should apply not only to weapons bought at stores but also to those bought at gun shows and from individuals.

White said that while there is a right to bear arms, the state does have guidelines people have to go by to obtain a concealed weapons permit. Those requirements include a background check and training to ensure they can properly and responsibly handle a gun. Those requirements, however, are not in place for the purchase of a gun through a gun show or from another individual. White said any purchase of a firearm — rifles and shotguns as well as handguns — should involve a background check and a gun safety training.

A majority of those who took part in an online poll conducted by The Union Daily Times agree with White that persons who buy guns should undergo background checks and gun safety and training programs.

Posted on The Union Daily Times website (www.uniondailytimes.com), the poll asked, “Since the school massacre in Connecticut there has been much talk about banning assault rifles, semi-automatic weapons, and large ammunition clips. As a possible alternative, Union Public Safety Director Sam White has suggested that persons who buy any type of gun through any venue including stores, gun shows, and private sales be required to undergo background checks and gun training and safety programs. Should persons who buy guns be required to undergo background checks and gun training and safety programs?”

Of the 32 people who took part in the poll, 53 percent agreed that people who purchase guns should have to undergo a background check and be required to take a gun training and safety program while 47 percent were opposed.

This week’s online poll asks whether or not a stoplight should be installed at the intersection of U.S. 176 and New Hope Church Road in the Jonesville area. The polls asks, “The intersection of U.S. 176 and New Hope Church Road in the Jonesville area has been the scene of 38 automobile accidents in the past eight years. The most recent of these was on February 15 and involved four vehicles. The presence of Jonesville Elementary/Middle School near the intersection has led to calls for a stoplight to be installed. Should a stoplight be installed at the intersection?”

Editor Charles Warner can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 14, or by email at cwarner@civitasmedia.com.