Chief Johnson: Assault Weapons 'Excessive' for Public

Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson continued his crusade against civilians owning assault weapons during a Thursday appearance on WYPR's Midday with Dan Rodricks.

The police chief said opponents of assault weapon bans frequently cite home invasions as a reason to possess them, but pointed out that there is no "serious chronic problem with home invasions" in Baltimore County.

"An assault weapon is an excessive weapon for the public," Johnson told Midday listeners.

Johnson further noted that home invasions are commonly connected to drug-related incidents.

"You see it from time to time," he said.

Johnson caught the national spotlight Wednesday when he appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing on gun violence. Conservative bloggers were put off when the chief, who started in his role in 2007, called National Rifle Association executive Wayne LaPierre's comments on tyranny "creepy."

"It was very clear that there was division in the room," he said on WYPR.

The full interview will be available on WYPR's website at a later time.