What life experience informs your views on gun control?

President Obama has outlined his plan for reducing gun violence in the U.S. In the wake of several mass-shootings (including at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.) the president called on Congress to strengthen the background check system for gun owners, restore a ban on military-style assault weapons and create a 10 round limit for magazines among other measures.

In addition, he said his administration will act on its own to better enforce existing gun laws and improve how federal enforcement agencies communicate with each other.

My name is Anna Weggel and I'm a producer with American Public Media's Public Insight Network and I want to start a civil and honest conversation around the role of guns in our community and our culture.

My hunch is that people are influenced by their own experience and by the stories they hear from others on this topic, so I'm asking for your story. Leave opinion and accusations at the door and just tell the real, personal experience that guides your thinking around this issue.

If you hunt or shoot guns recreationally, we'd like to know how that affects your views. If you've witnessed first-hand the effects of gun violence, please share your story. If your family or friends have shaped your views, let us know.

Whether you support or do not support President Obama's proposals on this issue -- or maybe you're still struggling with a decision -- your real story can be part of this conversation: one that is civil and honest.

(Photo by George Frey | Getty Image News)

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First Name *

Last Name *

E-mail *

City *

State or Province

Country *

Postal Code *

Phone

What is your experience with guns? *

I own one or more guns
I do not own a gun
I have friends or family members that own guns
other

Do you agree with President Obama's proposals?

Please expand on your answer about the President's proposals.

General opinion aside, what personal experiences from your own life (not just stories in the news) inform your opinion on this issue? *

May we publish your insights and attribute them to you? (Your comments may be edited for length or clarity.) *

Yes

Contact me first

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. If someone on our team is interested in learning more from you, you will hear back from us soon. Send any questions or further thoughts to Anna at aweggel@americanpublicmedia.org.

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