ROSEBURG, Ore. — Carolyn Kellim’s upper lip snarled at the mention of gun control.

“I think that’s the worst thing in the world that can happen,” said Kellim, 86, who runs KC’s Exchange gun shop out of her home.

The words “2nd Amendment” are pasted in a decal on her door and there’s a Rifle Range Street nearby. In Roseburg, deer antlers line driveways and locals hardly notice the pop-pop-pop from nearby shooting ranges.

“This is hunting territory,” said Kellim, whose views about guns – and who should be able to buy them – haven’t changed.

In Connecticut, state leaders called for stricter gun laws after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The tone in Roseburg is different.

Kendra Godon, a student who hid from the shooting in a nearby classroom, said she hoped her town’s tragedy wouldn’t get spun into the national debate about firearms.

“That’s not the issue,” she said.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin, the public face of the community since the shooting, is also an outspoken critic of increasing gun control.

When Vice President Joe Biden asked for stricter gun laws after the Newtown killings, Hanlin wrote “Gun control is NOT the answer to preventing heinous crimes like school shootings” on the Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page.

He asked that Biden “NOT tamper with or attempt to amend the Second Amendment,” and informed the vice president he didn’t plan to enforce any laws he found unconstitutional.

This spring, Hanlin testified before Oregon lawmakers about legislation requiring background checks for private gun sales. He argued that the measure – which has become law – would keep guns from criminals about as much as laws keep methamphetamine out of the hands of addicts.

“What I fear most,” Hanlin said, “is that we’re going to create criminals … out of some of our most ordinary, normal, law-abiding citizens.”

Asked about his image as a Second Amendment advocate at a news conference Friday, Hanlin’s lips tightened.

“Now is not an appropriate time to have those conversations,” he said.

As Hanlin walked away, someone shouted one: “Sheriff, why does this keep happening in America?”

Hanlin kept walking.