Former state corrections chief Walt McNeil is working with Vice President Joe Biden on the White House plan to curb gun violence. 

McNeil – now the police chief of Quincy, Florida – went to Washington after last month's tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He represents the International Association of Chiefs of Police, of which he's immediate past president.

McNeil told a Democratic club in Tallahassee Tuesday he backs a ban on assault weapons and background checks for all weapons. 

"I believe that the vast majority of Floridians, the vast majority of Americans, believe that we should control assault weapons, and they just have to make their congresspersons and their legislators know that that's their wish."

McNeil also said a big part of curbing gun violence will be limiting access to weapons for people with mental health problems.