Hartford — Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy contends the U.S. is fully vetting Syrian refugees and says those trying to stop them from entering the country want to "make political capital."

Malloy, incoming chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, said Wednesday Republican governors should instead focus on the proliferation of guns among criminals, the mentally ill and people on the federal government's "terrorism watch list" rather than a small group that was scrutinized for 12-to-18 months.

Malloy has been outspoken in his support for Syrian refugees, appearing on national television programs and criticizing governors who oppose Syrian resettlement.

Malloy told The Associated Press Wednesday he thinks "people have an obligation to push back on this," accusing others of "piling on and trying to make political capital" at the expense of the refugees.