Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx takes part in a Gun Sense Community Conversation

In the wake of U.S. Congress filibusters on gun control, a deadly shooting in Orlando and the accidental shooting death of a 4-year-old from Fort Atkinson in Elgin, Decorah residents gathered Thursday at the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center to discuss the issue of guns under the factual guidance of Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx.

The community conversation was organized by Gun Sense in partnership with Moms Demand Action and Every Town for Gun Sense.

While some in attendance were knowledgeable about gun law and usage, many residents simply sought more information such as the procedure for purchasing and acquiring a gun.

Sheriff Marx cleared up confusion about pertinent legal codes, while a large crowd of residents asked questions and shared their perspectives on the hot-button issue.

Most attendees agreed that communities must emphasize gun safety and responsibility. According to Sheriff Marx, that starts at the family level. "I think the question of [gun exposure] should be up to parents," Marx said, "but kids should be taught that if they see a gun, they don't touch it, but then they also leave the area and find an adult."

Marx also shared his own perspective on the commercial aspect of the gun issue, addressing the issue of proper and legal enforcement of people selling guns illegally. "It's a slap in the face to those doing it legally," Marx said. "We need to enforce this part of the law more evenly, because we don't follow what's on the books, and we could set an example to people selling illegal firearms."

To find out when the next Gun Sense discussion will be happening, visit the website of the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center at www.neipjc.org