News 12 First at Five / Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tonya Ligon's brother just gave her a small handgun in case she needs to protect herself, but she hasn't had a lot of practice with guns.

"I've only shot a gun once with my father, it was a rifle, and that's why I'm here today," she said.

Ligon decided to take a gun course so she would know how to safely operate her new weapon.

"This was my choice to do this, but I don't think it should be mandatory," she said.

Under current laws, you have to complete a background check, be fingerprinted and pay a fee to apply for a carry permit.

The new law Democrats are proposing would require anyone in the state of Georgia who applies for a carry license to have a four-hour safety course first. You can read that bill here.

Ligon's instructor, Frank Demato, thinks the gun control debate is a tricky issue.

"There's lots of pros and cons to all this stuff and you've got to think about it and make an intelligent decision," said Demato, who has been an NRA shooting instructor for years.

The other bill making its way through the House is pushing for much less gun control. Republicans in the House are pushing for a constitutional carry law which would basically allow any "lawful weapons carrier" to carry a gun without a license. You can read that bill here.

Ligon supports this amendment, saying, "Our 2nd Amendment says we have the right to own and bear arms, and I believe in that fully."

Some have been around guns all their lives and aren't sure a four-hour course is necessary.

"Gun safety is kind of common sense," said longtime gun owner David Duvall.

But the idea of people handling guns without any sort of training isn't a comforting thought for some.

"It's amazing how many people will buy a gun and never even think to read the instructions," Demato said. "They'll come to me and say it doesn't work, and I'll tell them, well, you've got to take the safety off -- you just push that little lever."

Others say the law should be left the way it is.

"The existing system is pretty good," Duvall said.

He just applied for a carry license a couple of weeks ago, and says it's pretty simple.

"They do a complete background check on you and make sure you are worthy to carry a gun. It was $75," he said.

If the law requiring a four-hour course is passed, it would go into effect in July, and current permit holders would be grandfathered in.

Both proposals are in the early stages. They have each had a first and second reading and are still waiting to be put to a vote in their respective committees.