Before news of the double shooting at Virginia Tech spread across the country, gun rights activists came to James Madison University to share a message.

"We're here to save lives," said Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

But if you ask Students for Gun Free Schools Co-founder Omar Samaha, you'll get a different answer.

"A gun in the classroom is not going to deter a killer from coming and shooting up a classroom," said Samaha.

Samaha's sister, Reema was killed during the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre.

"I graduated from there, my sister graduated from there," said Samaha.

That's why he helped to form the group Students for gun Free Schools.

Some JMU students don't agree with that slogan.

"I would rather have guns on campus in the hands of people who are responsible with them," said one student.

Samaha says many people fail to realize the Virginia Tech Massacre was a preventable tragedy.

That is one thing pro gun rights activists agree on.

"Ultimately at the end of the day, you need to be able to protect yourself if you want to survive," said Cleave.

Cleave is urging permit gun holders to take a stand.

"If the universities don't change their policies and allow people with permits to protect themselves, people shouldn't contribute money to them until they do," said Cleave.

Samaha says there is a deeper message to get across when it comes to gun safety.

He's pushing for harsher laws when it comes to obtaining a concealed permit.

"In Virginia you can get your concealed permit online. There's no training required," said Samaha.

Samaha also says one year after his sister was killed, he went undercover with 20/20 to a gun show.

"I bought 10 guns in one hour. No background check, no questions asked, didn't even have to show my ID," said Samaha.

Samaha says he's pushing for harsher laws for background checks when it comes to purchasing guns.

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