Local leaders talk gun control during MLK breakfast

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Hundreds of local and state leaders spent Monday morning, January 21st honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life legacy at a breakfast hosted by the YMCA.

It was the 16th year for the event that observes the holiday it as a “day on, not a day off.”

“We encourage everyone to volunteer in the community -- to actually make a difference,” said YMCA Director of Emerging Leaders Joel Peterson.

While many gave remarks on issues like service and diversity, some of Milwaukee’s top leaders took the time to address a controversial issue – gun violence.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett focused his entire remarks on gun violence, drawing parallels from King’s time during the Civil Rights Movement to recent events.

“In 2012, we experienced a lot of darkness,” Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett said the mass murders in Newtown, CT and the Oak Creek Sikh Temple are examples of why Congress and the state Legislature should pass legislation on stricter gun control.

“These measures need to be considered and adopted in my view.  These measures, in and of itself, will not prevent another horrific tragedy from happening again, but that's not a rationale to oppose them,” Mayor Barrett said.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele also spoke out on the issue.

“When we talk about rights, like the Second Amendment, it's a right I support as well.  But we also all support the right to be at a school safely,” Abele said.

Governor Scott Walker, too, gave remarks.  Gov. Walker said the focus should be on mental health, but agrees there needs to be more dialogue about gun violence not just on the MLK holiday, but in the future as well.

“In each of those cases you had individuals suffering from extreme mental illness.  We should be getting at what are the core causes?  Not just the weapon use, but ultimately, how does someone get in the position where they're committing those sorts of crimes?” Gov. Walker said.

Gov. Walker said he is meeting with state mental health professionals and law enforcement officials this week to discuss those issues.