reporter: sheriff john hanlan said the focus should not be on the perpetrator who died in the incident but on the nine people he killed and the seven he wanted. aen he opened fire in classroom at the rural college. the victims were the focus of by candlelight visible -- vigil in oregon thursday. media had released the name and reported the 26-year-old asked victims their religion before shooting. he said he disliked organized praised other mass shooters and posted images of himself smiling with guns. for barack obama, thursday's killing is one too many. he expressed frustration that the grief felt by communities has not led to nationwide and reform. president obama: every time we see one of our shootings, our thoughts and prayers are not enough. it does nothing to do -- prevent this carnage from being inflicted some place else in america. reporter: there have been 142 school shootings in the united states in the past three years with each reigniting the face -- fierce debate about gun control in america. it is the latest in a series of high-profile mass shootings in the united states a

on to the national stage after the massacre at umpqua community college, douglas county sheriff john hanlan talks tough and isn't afraid to share his opinion. >> i will not name the shooter. i will not give him the credit he probably sought prior to this horrific and cowardly act. >> reporter: his stance on the shooter applauded by many. but his other views putting him smack dab in the middle of gun control. a letter he sent to joe biden one month after sandy hook elementary, one of the deadliest in american history gives everyone a good look at his unwaivering stance on gun control. it says in part, gun control is not the answer to preventing heinous crimes like school shootings. but now a mass shooting has hit him at home. so we asked him about his thought as the entire country asks, why is this happening in america yet again and what will stop it. can you talk to me about your stance on the fact that you feel like gun control is not a potential answer. >> okay. i understand your interest in that. and i can appreciate that you have an interest in my position, but like i've said a number o

. >> it's interesting and i don't know his political affiliation but sheriff john hanlan, he and someone opposed new gun laws in this country. he wrote a letter after new town saying there should not be, for instance, new background checks for people doing private sales at gun shows. there are people out there, even people like this sheriff connected to the shootings who do not want the laws themselves changed. >> this sheriff is in the minority and country is in the minority in law enforcement. sheriffs, chiefs of police are the largest advocates for common sense gun regulations like background checks. look, this keeps happening over and over and it only happens here in america. we don't have a monopoly on the mental ill or monopoly on disenfranchised use but this happens more than anywhere else in the world. what is different? our gun laws are more laxed. >> there is people who say don't poll lit size this or that, the president said let's politica politicalize it. where is agreement if it's not on background checks, where can everyone get together and say we agree on these few things,