In the aftermath of the Tucson shooting, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik expressed his opinion about Arizona's gun policies.

"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," said Dupnik.

Dupnik's remarks struck a chord with former San Diego Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, who has fought to eliminate a law which allows Californians to carry unloaded weapons in public.

Saldaña said she has received threats because of the legislation.

"Politics are always very emotional, but what is happening now [is that] some people are acting out in ways on those emotions that we haven't seen," she said.

Saldaña says several incidents have forced her to do what she has fought against: travel with armed security.

"I support responsible gun ownership... It is the people who abuse that right [who] make it more difficult for others," Saldaña said.

The Escondido Open Carry organization said that restricting guns could not have changed the tragic events in Tucson.

"Criminals do not obey gun laws," said organization co-founder Gerald Reaster. "Whether they're a lunatic or a for-profit criminal, they don't obey the laws."

Reaster calls Saldaña's policy "misguided."

The open carry legislation failed to come to a vote last year. Saldaña, who is running for state Senate in 2012, said she will continue to fight for gun control.