by KYW's John Ostapkovich

With the challenge to a package of Philadelphia gun control laws spinning through the courts, and a violent arrest captured-on-TV causing controversy, a State Representative says the two cases profoundly affect one another.

Representative W. Curtis Thomas of North Philadelphia says the violent arrest caught by a TV helicopter is a black mark for police and he supports the Commissioner's firings and other discipline. But he regrets that the hue and cry that has separated citizens and police who may otherwise have been allies trying to ban weapons like the one that killed Sgt. Steven Liczbinski:

"Today we're having a conversation on whether an SKS 47 (photo)  should not be banned from use in the city of Philadelphia. Can you imagine having a conversation, having to fight back a challenge to some who would say that that should be okay, we should not ban that weapon."

That's why he says the city needs unity, not division.