North Ga. women watching gun control proposals closely

As the gun debate swirls in Washington, gun owners in north Georgia are paying close attention. They're concerned that any new gun laws would limit their ability to protect themselves.
    
Nikki Turpeaux gives women firearms training at a gun club in Cumming. She says her phone has been ringing off the hook since the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

"Inquiring about when they can start training. Can I come? Can I talk to their kids about how to better go back to school feeling more confident and safe," said Turpeaux.

The NRA-certified instructor runs a business called Archangel Tactical, a mobile firearms training company. She says some of the legislation being discussed in Washington would do more than just ban assault weapons.

"It is actually putting a ban on a lot of your very common semi-automatic handguns that a lot of my clients, a lot of my students have purchased and trained with for personal defense of them and their families," said Turpeaux.

For her students, it's all about protecting what's most precious to them.

"My children are safer today because of Nikki," said Carolyn, who asked not to use her last name.

Carolyn got her concealed to carry license after seeing the tragic scenes in Newtown, Conn. She says something must be done.

"I do believe – like an AK may have reason to be banned because you don't need one to kill a deer," said Carolyn.

Carolyn said that she's concerned about the government limiting the amount of ammo she can carry.

"If you unload on one intruder in your home and someone comes up behind him and you've already shot your five bullets out of your revolver, you're in pretty tough shape," she said.

Her instructor says it's all about having a healthy amount of respect for the Second Amendment.

"But as far as, you know, reporting and registering and all of these other things – I don't really know that that's necessary because criminals don't register their guns now do they," said Turpeaux.

Turpeaux says she has trained more than 1,200 women and families on how to protect themselves with firearms in just the past two years.