Mayor Barrett one of three mayors to stand with President Obama as he made gun control announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 5th announced a series of executive actions designed to reduce gun violence and expand background checks for gun buyers. This, as Republicans say the move is an abuse of power.

Pres. Barack Obama

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was with President Obama Tuesday as the announcement was made.

He spoke with reporters when he returned to Milwaukee from Washington, D.C. He says he's hopeful the plan will prevent more lives from being lost to gun violence, as critics say it won't change much.

Barrett was just one of three mayors at the White House for the announcement.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

He is optimistic President Obama's actions will help prevent future gun tragedies. Opponents say the move is overreaching.

"Today was very, very personal. It was very raw. There were a lot of emotions," Mayor Barrett said. "This is not about preventing things in the past. It`s about preventing things in the future."

Barrett stood with President Obama as he announced an executive order requiring background checks for more gun sales.

"This is not about sportsmen. This is not about self-defense. This is about making sure that our communities, both urban, suburban and rural are safe," Mayor Barrett said.

Barrett says he stands with those affected by gun violence.

Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting victims

Pardeep Kaleka lost his father in the Sikh Temple shooting in Oak Creek.

"I was one of those people that thought it would never affect and one Sunday morning it did," Kaleka said.

Proponents of President Obama's action say this will help stop criminals from owning a firearm.

Critics say President Obama's action won't do much.

Jim Fendry

"It`s just saber rattling," Jim Fendry said.

Fendry is the director of the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement.

"Anything is available to anybody if they want to violate the law to get to it," Fendry said.

Fendry says President Obama's actions are overreaching.

"There`s going to be a huge backlash. I`m sure it won`t ever go into effect during the president`s administration," Fendry said.