Biden Meets With Law Enforcement Leaders

Just a day after President Obama tapped him to head an inter-agency panel to reduce gun violence, Vice President Joe Biden convened the first meeting of his working group to address solutions in the wake of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. He spoke with various law enforcement leaders Thursday afternoon to ask for their help in the White House effort to seek reform.

Biden, who specifically chose to meet with these stakeholders first, told the members of various police organizations and law enforcement agencies that he believes they have a significant role to play not only in punishing crime but also in preventing it. “You have a much more holistic view of how to deal with violence on our streets and in our country than you’re ever given credit for,” he told them.

“You know better than anyone what is needed out there,” he said, and acknowledged their help on the 1994 crime bill he authored. “I want to hear your views because for anything to get done, we’re going to need your advocacy.” Biden then asked the press to leave so people attending the meeting could have a “frank discussion.”

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder also attended the meeting, which was his last engagement in Washington before heading to Newtown to meet with law enforcement officials there.