Police chief sees distraction in gun debate - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

OAK CREEK (WKOW) -- The Oak Creek police chief says too many people are getting distracted from the President's push to curb gun violence, instead focusing on the proposed gun restrictions.

John Edwards was one of several police chiefs to meet with President Obama earlier this week.

Edwards, whose department responded to the mass shooting at the Sikh temple last summer, said when people look at it as a "gun issue," it divides.

Edwards said he's been called a "gun hater" just because he went to be part of the discussion.

"I personally don't believe banning any particular weapon is going to stop the violence. That's not the issue. The issue is why do we have these trends and why are people doing these things. We need to identify it, give the officers some things that they can deal with on the street."

Edwards said some people don't get to the "meat and potatoes" of the President's proposals, which he says include giving local officers access to mental health databases, something he supports.