Police push for background checks on gun purchases

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Law enforcement leaders who met with President Barack Obama are urging him to improve the mental health system and strengthen background checks, but did not unify on more controversial gun control measures.

Leaders of the Major County Sheriffs' Association said they told the president Monday to focus on the mental health system.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says there was broad agreement on the need to require stronger background checks for gun purchases. Ramsey is president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which backs an assault weapons ban.

The message reflects the political reality in Congress that the assault weapons ban Obama is pushing is likely to have a hard time winning broad support. But the president may have more hope for getting universal background checks.