By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
TIMES SQUARE — Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Rev. Al Sharpton each took aim at gun violence with a series of events and statements on Monday calling for a halt to the proliferation of guns on the streets.
Bloomberg's event at City Hall touted the seizure of 40 illegal guns in a six-month investigation. Sharpton held a "Day of Outrage" rally in Times Square, drawing anti-gun activists and gun violence victims.
“Sadly, recent weeks have given us too many examples of just how important this issue is,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a press conference Monday announcing the indictment of two men charged in connection with a Florida-to-New York illegal gun trafficking ring.
The mayor cited the examples of Bronx teenager Vada Vasquez, who was shot and critically injured by a stray bullet last week, and 13-year-old Kevin Miller, of Queens, who was shot and killed in early October.
Bloomberg spoke supportively of the city’s efforts to stop gun crime, like the NYPD’s “Operation Gun Stop,” which offers $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of someone in possession of an illegal firearm. However, the mayor thinks more can be done.
“It’s not enough because children are still getting shot in the street,” Bloomberg said.
The mayor didn’t mention Sharpton’s event, but when questioned about it, he said he had no problem with it. But, as mayor, he had to deal with gun violence “day in and day out, and that [Day of Outrage] is not going to solve it.”
This past weekend Bloomberg and his roughly 500 "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" members took out a full-page ad in the Washington Post urging Congress to close the so-called "Terror Gap" loophole that allows people on terrorist watch lists to purchase firearms.
The group blasted the Tiahrt Amendment that requires the FBI to get rid of all background checks on approved gun purchasers within 24 hours.
“Mayors Against Illegal Guns” guns believes that such legislation contributes to incidents like the one at Fort Hood two weeks ago.
"I don't know how many more murders you have to have before you say enough is enough," Bloomberg said.
