KEENE, N.H. -- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain didn't have all the answers during a chat with local law enforcement officials Thursday, but he won some support anyway.

"The first impression I had was that he was a straight-talker and he began saying the things that I believed in," said Cheshire County Sheriff Richard Foote. "He's going to tell you how he feels whether you like it or not."

The candidate exchanged questions with about 20 law enforcement officials at an informal breakfast meeting. McCain asked questions about drugs and alcohol in schools and they asked him how to tap into federal grants.

"All our communities here have New York City expectations with Mayberry police department budgets," said Rindge Police Chief David Collum.

The only area of disagreement appeared to be on federalizing crimes. One official said laws in New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont differ greatly and it would be easier to enforce some laws if more crimes were federal offenses.

But McCain said he sides with U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist on the issue.

"He claims we are federalizing too many crimes. I have a tendency to think he's right," McCain said. "I'd be glad to federalize crimes as far as juveniles are concerned, but I'd have to be convinced that that would be a better solution than letting states be accountable."

McCain supported existing federal grants to hire more police officers, but with reservations.

"It's obvious that it's much needed funding," he said. "There's probably not enough flexibility, however. I would have preferred to give you the money and let you decide what to do with it."

McCain said other federal money is available for programs for latchkey kids, but he said private programs play an important role.

"I think my great friend Colin Powell is making a great effort in volunteering programs, particularly with Boys and Girls clubs," he said. "Boys and Girls clubs have been marvelous antidotes to latchkey, after-school children that don't have anywhere to go."

McCain called for stepped up enforcement of existing gun control laws and reiterated his support for technology that would allow only a gun's owner to fire the weapon.

He also said parents need to be more aware of racist Web sites their children may be viewing and that schools and public libraries should install software to screen out offensive material on the Internet.