The issue focused on police enforcement of federal gun laws. Law enforcement officials said law enforcement officers will have to question government witnesses and legal experts about their actions.

In court documents, lawyers for Attorney General Eric Holder called the proposed legislation "unconstitutional" and called it a political grab by prosecutors. "This legislative effort is designed to criminalize illegal guns," attorney Jim Justice said.

As police attorneys looked at different options, others working in public safety law enforcement thought there was no alternative. They felt some