Sheriff Gore Calls for Gun Control, Universal Background Checks

San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore said Thursday that he favored universal background checks for gun transactions—hours after an Encinitas standoff left one man dead and two deputies shot.

Gore, a Republican, called for a "common sense" discussion on gun control and mental health at a . Officials said he was diagnosed as suicidal during a psychiatric evaluation in December but are unsure how Kwik obtained the 12-gauge shotgun he is accused of using.

“At what point, do we have some sort of a dialogue and address some common sense responses to the violence we’re seeing in our society?” Gore said. “I think we can have that conversation without talking about people’s second amendment rights, but having some common sense solutions.”

Gore cited recent high-profile shootings in Southern California, such as those suspected of involving Christopher Dorner and the Orange County shootings this week.

Gore also said 25 percent of the 5,500 inmates in the county are on "some type of psychotropic drug."

"That tells you the type of mental illness we’re dealing with out there,” he said. “To not start addressing those issues looking at the mental health care we have in this country, and leaving those very significant societal problems to law enforcement is a tremendous mistake and we’re paying for it, I think, with the violence we’re seeing in our communities right now.”

Which do you think is more important, gun control measures or increased mental health services? Tell us in the comments.