A major police benevolent association created to help families of officers killed in the line of duty has come out against President Obama's gun control plan, declaring it "will do nothing" to stop the types of gun crimes officers face every day.

The Southern Police Benevolent Society, part of the national Police Benevolent Society, also endorsed private gun ownership, adding that it poses no threat to police or the public.

"From hunting to shooting sports, firearms are a part of the American culture that are passed from generation to generation. Rank and file law enforcement officers realize that gun ownership from law abiding citizens poses no threat to the law enforcement community or to the public," said the president of the 30,000-strong organization, Chris Skinner.

"New legislation aimed at reducing or restricting law abiding citizens from purchasing or owning firearms will do nothing to reduce violent crime nor will it stop criminals or those who want to commit evil acts from obtaining weapons," he added in a statement.

The group is the latest law enforcement organization to come out against the president's plan. Just Monday, the president met with police groups to seek their endorsement of his goal of a ban on military-style weapons and expanded background checks.

But the benevolent group instead has adopted the position of several state sheriffs' associations and the National Rifle Association which is concerned that the president's plan will disarm the public, leaving only criminals with guns.

"It is our hope that our leaders in Washington will look at reasonable measures to help keep guns out of the hands of the criminals and punish those more severely who are violating those laws," said Skinner.

The group is one of a national benevolent groups that provides money, education scholarships and other aid to the families of fallen policemen and women.