INDEPENDENCE, Ky. — Brad Walden has grown up with guns around, learning how to shoot at around 8 or 9 years old.

“We went to high school and we carried guns on our gun racks and parked our trucks. Nobody ever killed anybody,” Walden said.

The Gun Violence Archive reports there have been over 500 mass shootings in the United States so far in 2022. President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan gun control bill back in June.

The measure expands criminal background checks for some gun buyers and funds programs that would allow authorities to take guns from troubled individuals. It also provides funding for mental health services and school security initiatives.

Walden believes a lot of gun violence stems from certain age groups.

“I think most of the crimes being committed are by younger people,” Walden said.

He believes different forms of media, including video games, plays a role in violence.

“I don’t think they realize some of the circumstances behind killing. I think they see it in a video game and they think it’s acceptable,” Walden said.

Walden believes gun laws and restrictions factor into how he votes as someone who believes it’s a constitutional right to bare arms.

Carl Shaw, another gun owner, says laws are already in place to protect people while also protecting the second amendment.

“We need to enforce the laws that we have. I think we need to support our police so they can do their jobs,” Shaw said.

Both Shaw and Walden say red flag laws—allowing for the confiscation of firearms legally possessed by individuals accused of being dangers to themselves or others—can be unconstitutional.

Walden believes current laws need to be enforced better.

“I think there’s enough laws in the books already to take care of the violence out there right now if it’s enforced properly,” he said.

Walden, Shaw and other Kentuckians will weigh gun rights along with other issues when casting their votes on Election Day.