. >>> robert spitzer is a distinguished service professor at the state university new york at courtlandalie allen asked him about the fact that the gunman or someone in his family legally bought the guns used in the shooting. >> that's a very telling you about not unusual piece of information. one of the things we typically witness is these mass shooters in particular obtain their guns legally. that's a surprise to many people given what we have now learned about him, that he had deep personal and emotional problems. that these problems were on display, were known to his parents, to people who knew him. but the bar for background checks is so low nationwide, and as it's applied in most states, all you have to do is not be a convicted felon or judged mentally incompetent by a judge. and there are lots of people with all kinds of mental problems who don't get caught in either of those two nets. however, there are places in america where background checks are much more meaningful, and that extends to police making inquiries into the associations and friends and neighbors and work colleague

we spoke with robert spitzer about what he says are the weaknesses of the current background checks. >> there are lots of people with lots of mental problems who don't get caught in the two fwhet nets. however, there are other place where is background checks are much more meaningful. and that extends to police making inquiries into the associations of friends and neighbors and work colleagues of people who apply to obtain a pistol legally, or a firearm legally. and since a more thorough check did not occur in oregon and does not occur in most states -- although it does occur in my state of new york state -- he was able to obtain these guns legally. and that goes to the limitations and weakness of current gun law. >> the sheriff of douglas county opposes gun control. who looked into the views of the sheriff. >> he's not afraid to share them and with that, john, as you know, controversy often follows. thrust 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 t