Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe didn't mince words in his message to the White House.
"Ban assault weapons, restrict those magazines that have so many bullets in them, shore up any loopholes in our criminal background checks," he said in an interview with NBC News.
In the interview, Kehoe spoke frankly about what he saw at Sandy Hook Elementary School on the day in December when 20 children and six adults lost their lives in one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history.
Newtown's Police Chief said the shooter was carrying heavier firepower than his officers. "We never like to think we're outgunned in any situation we're dealing with," he told NBC News.
Since the shooting, Kehoe has taken an active leadership role in his response. A week afterwards, he issued a statement to the community assuring residents schools were safe and police were hard at work.
"Our police, fire, and emergency medical personnel reacted quickly and without hesitation, rapidly responding to Sandy Hook Elementary School," he said. "Their professionalism was heartwarming to witness; our community is proud of them."
More recently Kehoe and the Newtown Police Department have been working to ensure officers have access to health benefits and leaves of absence as they recover from their work on December 14 and afterward.
Kehoe's message comes as the advocacy group Sandy Hook Promise launches a nationwide campaign for change in the wake of the shootings. Gun control remains an option on its agenda, as U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy told reporters.
"We have to fundamentally change our approach," co-founder Tom Bittman told press Monday. "It’s not just what government should do. It’s not just what I should do. It’s not just what you should do. It’s what we should do together."
