As lawmakers across the country take a closer look at gun control laws, one St. Petersburg city councilman wants to examine the issue at the local and state level.

Councilmember Steve Kornell presented a resolution asking the council to send a message to Tallahassee. Kornell advocates closing the gun show loophole, local voluntary gun registration and re-considering the Brady Bill, which banned assault weapons.

Normally, background checks are performed on all gun purchasers who buy a weapon from a licensed dealer. But a loophole in the law allows unlicensed people to sell guns without processing any paperwork. In Florida, however, each individual county has the authority to regulate gun shows by requiring background checks on all firearms that are purchased.

Kornell said he would like to see a uniformed law across the state to make sure military assault rifles don't end up in the hands of people who aren't allowed to have them. He cites the number of illegal guns St. Petersburg police takes off the streets as evidence that tougher laws are needed.

"When the chief tells us that statistic, we're taking 365 guns off the street per year, but there's a lot more out there, that makes me say we need to do something," Kornell said.

Still, local lawmakers are not allowed to institute gun ordinances and laws that go against the state. In Florida, any public official who passes or enforces gun regulations below the state level faces a $5,000 fine or removal from office by the governor, which is why Kornell wants to start a dialogue.

And not everyone is on board with the proposed changes. Dr. David McKalip called the move "political grandstanding."

"Our city should focus on what's happening that's causing the crime," Dr. David McKalip, who opposes new gun laws, said. "What policies are they doing that causes crime and doesn't solve it. Not just passing another ban or trying to get a ban passed."

Councilmember Bill Dudley said he is for regulation but argued for a different approach.

Council members voted to continue the discussion in committee.