SALT LAKE CITY — Many of the state's citizens, leaders and gun rights activists are saying the president is missing the mark when it comes to stopping gun violence.

Braced for a fight, President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled the most sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence in two decades, pressing a reluctant Congress to pass universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.

Crystal Perry is a private firearm instructor in Utah and an activist for Second Amendment issues.

"It's not the guns that are causing the problems," she said. "We don't have a gun problem. What we have is a violence problem."

She agreed with the president that mental illness should be considered when it comes to guns. But she said she is against bans on assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines, arguing that doesn't stop bad guys.

"Bad people are going to get guns," she said. "We need to give the resources to our law enforcement officers and give them the ability to stop those kinds of people."

She said the government should take time to look at what is causing the violence problem, perhaps looking at movies, video games and sources that enter the home that glorify violent behavior.

Ever since the Connecticut school shootings, many gun enthusiasts assumed that this kind of legislation might take place. The president wants Congress to act fast, but gun advocates are also acting fast, buying items that may someday be outlawed.

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Braced for a fight, President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled the most sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence in two decades, pressing a reluctant Congress to pass universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.

Kyle Stringham of Clinton owns multiple guns and is an avid shooter. He's at the range often. Obama's proposal to Congress didn't surprise him, and he said he supports some of it, though he is not in favor of an assault weapons ban, Stringham said gun owners should have more training.

"I think that they need to change the rules as to who can have these weapons," he said. "There needs to be a lot more than goes into responsible gun ownership. Background checks and mental health. Everything across the board."

Impact Guns in Ogden has seen business quadruple in the past month. Guns, especially the assault-style rifles, are flying off the racks. The high-capacity magazines are running low. Handgun cases are starting to look bare, and it's the same with the shelves of ammunition.

Craig Ball, Impact's director of operations, watched the president's announcement with other employees Wednesday morning. He said some changes are needed in the nation's gun laws, but also said the bad guys will still get their hands on guns regardless.

He expects a long fight in Congress.

"I don't know if it'll go through or not," Bell said. "I think they'll get the A.W.B, the assault weapons ban. I think they'll get it back. I think they'll get the magazine ban back."

He said that could severely impact his sales, as "the cool stuff" is the bread and butter of his store's success.

Some local lawmakers were quick to denounce the president's proposals. Rep. Chris Stewart, referring to the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., said, "These acts of violence, as terrible as they are, should not be used by the White House as justification to revoke the rights outlined in the United States Constitution."

Stewart said he planned to do all in his power to protect the Second Amendment.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, while reiterating his support for second amendment rights, was far less forthright with criticism of Obama's proposals.

"I appreciate the recommendations put forth this morning by the president," Chaffetz said in a statement. "I look forward to a robust discussion of this important issue. We need to address this problem but not at the expense of our freedom.

Nationally, the NRA came out swinging against Obama's actions Wednesday, though did not mention the president directly.

"Attacking firearms and ignoring children is not a solution to the crisis we face as a nation," the gun rights group said in a statement. "Only honest, law-abiding gun owners will be affected and our children will remain vulnerable to the inevitability of more tragedy."

Contributing: Associated Press, David Self Newlin

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