Chaska Police Chief: Universal background checks needed - FOX 35 News Orlando

Chaska Police Chief: Universal background checks needed for gun sales

Efforts to cut down gun violence are reaching new heights in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Everyone agrees no one wants a tragedy like this to occur again, but the question is how to stop it.

In 2008, a school district in Texas got international attention for becoming the first school to allow teachers to carry a gun in the classroom -- and on Monday, Minnesota Rep. Tony Cornish announced he plans to introduce a bill next session that will allow the same.

Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight has spent years working to solve gun violence problems, even spending six years as the head of the Firearms Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He has testified before Congress and argues for many changes to our gun laws including limits on the kinds of guns and ammunition that can be purchased.

"Military assault weapons and armor-piercing bullets do not belong on our streets. We're being outgunned," Knight explained. "It's like law enforcement is in an arms race with criminals."

Watch the video to hear more of his perspective.

Knight said he has spent years fighting and advocating for a universal background check at the point of sale, and he hopes now is the time to instate one.

As for arming teachers, Knight explains that he believes that will only work if employees receive extensive training; however, he also explained that he doesn't think it's realistic for a school teacher.

Across America, lines are forming at gun stores as citizens express fears that gun rights will face restriction; however, Knight said there is no case where the government has seized the weapons of a law-abiding citizen.

As for banning assault weapons as the government did between 1994 and 2004, Knight said it worked then and can work now.

Besides changing gun laws at a national level, there are ways local communities and states can take matters into their own hands when it comes to gun control