President Barack Obama says he wants police from three communities that have experienced mass shootings and across the country to help convince Congress to pass gun legislation.

Obama said no group is more important than law enforcement in the gun debate. He said he recognizes the issue "elicits a lot of passion all across the country" but that Congress will pay attention to police.

He urged Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, limit high capacity magazines and require universal background checks.

The president spoke as he met at the White House with the heads of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs Association, members of his Cabinet and chiefs that responded to the worst shootings of 2012 in Aurora, Colo., Oak Creek, Wis., and Newtown, Conn.