Shooting brings national spotlight on Colorado Springs

The group Colorado Ceasefire is criticizing open carry laws saying they might have slowed down the police response to Noah Harpham’s shooting spree.

It’s in reaction to what Naomi Bettis told the 911 dispatcher.

She told The Washington Post she called 911 to report a man carrying a rifle.

The Post reports that the dispatcher didn’t seem to think it was an emergency until she called a second time to report that Harpham had shot Andrew Myers.

Colorado Ceasefire released a statement asking: “Should citizens be required to wait until the shooting starts before invoking a police response?”

The debate over gun rights is being thrust in the national spotlight.

News of the shooting has been on the network nightly newscasts, cable and other national newspapers, besides the post.

But the community’s response has also been noticed and admired.

“I wouldn’t be afraid, even in going to downtown Colorado Springs. There’s too much to miss,” said Rebecca Gibson, a Florida resident visiting Colorado Springs.