Will a ban on assault weapons keep you safe?

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- -While lawmakers in Washington consider a new ban on assault weapons, those on the front lines here in Jacksonville have a different opinion about how to keep you safe.

Sheriff John Rutherford says the biggest threat to the safety of local families isn't assault weapons, it's hand guns. In fact, 40-caliber handguns are used in the majority of gun related crimes in our city.

The sheriff believes any new law, will be as effective as the last ban on assault weapons. He says "The earlier assault weapons ban did nothing, but everybody felt good we had a ban in place and we did something." When asked if stricter gun laws would help his officers on the streets the Sheriff replied, "I don't think so, I think what will is when we deal with the guy behind the trigger."

The sheriff says there is no stopping someone who is truly motivated to kill. "We can put armed officers in the hallways, restrict access at schools, impose universal background checks and have relentless prosecution."

One section of the Presidents gun proposal the Sheriff does agree with is money for treatment for mental health issues. He says Florida is 48th in per capita spending for mental health treatment and that needs to change.