LANSING - - Even though some legislators are pushing for more gun control laws, others say the chances of tougher laws are slim.

In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, where 33 people died, some legislators are proposing stricter laws they say might help avoid similar situations.

Sen. Liz Brater, D-Ann Arbor, said tragedies like the one in Blacksburg, Va., could be avoided if tougher gun control laws are in place.

The most recent gun control proposal by Rep.  Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, would limit the sale and purchase of short barreled shotguns and rifles. It is pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

But, Sen. Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt, said some current gun control laws should be revisited.

“When you see the shootings in Blacksburg, you see how the gun control laws have actually failed,” Cropsey said. “People are unable to protect themselves because of these laws, and those anti-gun people are nuts to think this is a gun control matter because people need to have the ability to protect themselves.”

He added that he doesn’t see any new legislation passing because the next step would be to stop selling guns altogether.

Cropsey isn’t the only legislator to say that more gun control is the wrong path to take.

“The gun control some people have talked about implementing would take away guns from the average law-abiding person who is not causing any problems,” said Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.  “People who are going to break the law by using a firearm are going to find a way to get a firearm in an illegal fashion and still break the law.”

Jones said plans are needed to prepare schools for violent incidents and that people don’t need to guns to hurt people.

“There was a bombing in the Bath school system when a man killed many people, including children,” Jones said. “Now this incident did happen a while ago and things have changed, but it is just an example of how we don’t need to worry about a gun problem.

“What we need to worry more about is finding individuals with problems that could become dangerous.”

In the 1927 Bath bombing, 45 people died when a disgruntled local resident ignited dynamite in the elementary school.

Tony Hansen, a press agent for Michigan United Conservation Clubs, said the organization opposes more gun control laws.

The club has many members who also belong to the National Rifle Association, Hansen said.

“We are not supportive of more gun control laws because there are already enough laws in this state,” Hansen said. “Law-abiding citizens should not be punished for crimes they did not commit.”