Gabrielle Giffords Tucson Shooting Puts Arizona's Gun Culture in Spotlight

Jan. 10, 2011— -- In the aftermath of Saturday's Tucson shooting that has left six dead and Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords clinging to life, many are looking at who and what is to blame in the world of Arizona's politics and gun control.

From Arizona's permissive gun laws to the toxic, us-versus-them environment that has permeated U.S. political discourse, political figures, pundits and the police have begun to point fingers.

Arizona's gun laws are among the nation's least restrictive – where guns are allowed in public spaces and buildings and concealed weapons can be carried without a permit by those qualified to own a gun.

"I have never been a proponent of letting everybody in this state carry weapons under any circumstances that they want. And that's almost where we are," Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said at a press conference Sunday.

Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, is pointing to heightened language of discourse across the political spectrum, and reminding leaders that words have actions.

"We have a society that is trained to hate their government, and whether Rep. Giffords was shot because of her positions or whatever is irrelevant," Cleaver said.

"There is a great deal of animosity between elected officials and their constituency, we have created a monster," he added.