Politics & Government

City: More Guns Come From Outside NYC

Mayor Bloomberg says, despite a steady drop in violence in NYC, weak gun laws continue to put illegal firearms into the hands of criminals

New data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives shows the percentage of out-of-state guns used in crimes in New York City has increased from 85 percent in 2009 to 90 percent in 2011, despite a steady drop in violence in the five boroughs.

In an announcement at City Hall on July 31, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and the mayor’s Chief Policy Advisor John Feinblatt presented the crime gun trace data which reveals that the increase in proportion of out-state guns used to commit crimes occurs even as the total number of guns recovered in the city has decreased by more than 44 percent. 

The mayor, Feinblatt and Police Commissioner Kelly underscored how weak gun laws play a big role in putting illegal firearms into the hands of criminals. 

"In addition to our tough enforcement efforts inside the five boroughs, we have to pay attention to gun laws outside of the city," said Bloomberg. "The reality is laws in states across the nation and in Washington, D.C., have a real impact on the safety of New Yorkers.”

The study showed that the top-ten states facilitating illegal gun trafficking primarily were in the South where gun laws are most laxed, including Georgia, Florida, Texas and the Carolinas, with Virginia accounting for 322 of the guns recovered-- the highest of any state.

The mayor and the police commissioner called for common-sense gun laws on a federal and state level that require more rigorous background checks for private gun sales, the most effective way to prevent felons and the mentally-ill from obtaining firearms.

"The near-30 percent reduction in murders year-to-date from last year’s record low is evidence that we are doing something right," said Kelly. "But we could do even better if Congress helped with meaningful gun control.”


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