Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and John Souter, a survivor of the Accent Signage workplace shooting, called for universal background checks for all gun purchases on Thursday.

Rybak and Souter appeared with Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight in an event that was part of a national push by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, of which Rybak is a member. They are focusing on the U.S. Congress, where universal background checks are on the agenda, as they are at the state Capitol.

"After a deadly workplace shooting in Minneapolis, after Sandy Hook, and after countless tragedies that never even make the national news, it still remains easier in America to buy a deadly weapon than to buy a Sudafed," Rybak said, according to a statement from his office.

He and Souter encouraged U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Eden Prairie, to support universal background checks when it comes before Congress. Rybak said polls show overwhelming support for the checks.

Souter, who lives in Wayzata and is a constituent of Paulsen's, was wounded in the Sept. 27, 2012 Accent Signage shooting. Six people were killed before the the assailant, a fired employee, took his own life.

"It makes no sense that on a Sunday afternoon you can go to a gun show and buy a weapon and ammunition that can kill people, but you cannot go into a supermarket and buy a bottle of wine," Souter said, according to Rybak's statement.