CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

McCarthy: Nearly 1,100 Guns Seized So Far This Year

(credit: ThinkStock)

(credit: ThinkStock)

tafoya250

Reporting Bernie Tafoya

Don't Miss This

CHICAGO (CBS) – Chicago police say that, since Jan. 1, the department has confiscated 1,080 guns from people who shouldn’t have them.

Police Supt. Garry McCarthy has started having gun seizure news conferences on a regular basis; and he says he will continue to until laws change to require that the loss, theft or transfer of a gun is reported, and that there be a change in the law so anyone arrested on a gun law violation goes to prison for at least a certain mandatory minimum amount of time.

McCarthy quoted Einstein, who said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.”

The superintendent said society has to change guns laws, and that’s what he’s trying to do by having the regular news conferences about gun seizures.

At the Englewood District police station, six rifles were displayed on a table next to where McCarthy spoke.

McCarthy said the answer is so simple, and we’re making it complicated.

“Seizing guns is not the answer. Preventing the guns from hitting the street and having significant penalties for possession of it is what’s going to make a difference. That doesn’t exist here,” he said.

McCarthy said state lawmakers need to “step up” and change gun laws to make that happen.

He said, if there had been mandatory minimum sentencing for gun law violations in Illinois, over the last two weeks, 15 people in Chicago would either not have been found with a gun, would not have been on the street to shoot someone, or wouldn’t have been the victim of gun violence.

Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

  • Benjamin Moore Which Team Colors Matter Most? May 24, 2013
    Which Team Colors matter most to you? Either way, you could be a winner! Just sign up now for a chance to win $500 Depot Dollars to the Chicago Sports Depot to pick up some gear with your favorite team colors as they battle it out this week!
  • AVEENO® MEN’S “Building a Healthier Foundation” Sweepstakes May 21, 2013
    AVEENO® Men’s™ knows your family is your foundation. And to take good care of them, you need to take good care of yourself. Win a family day at the ballpark from AVEENO® Men’s™.
  • Join Hankook Tire To Reel In The Next Big Catch May 20, 2013
    Join Hankook tire to reel in the next great catch! Click here to go to www.TirePrize.com and enter for your chance to win the ultimate fishing excursion in Puerto Rico!
  • Meet Jim Rome On Set In Los Angeles May 20, 2013
    AutoZone and the Jim Rome Show are giving one winner and a guest a trip to meet Jim Rome in Los Angeles on the set of his Showtime television show! Enter for your chance to win!
WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates