Getting guns of the street and keeping communities safe are not easy tasks. Everyone with a vested interest, including all levels of government – local, state and federal – needs to work together to put tougher gun laws on the books and better policing tactics on the street. Calling for safe streets may make for a good soundbite, but it’s going to take a lot more work to make that reality.

Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn defended Police Commissioner Ray Kelly today amid the controversy surrounding his comments that communities should show more outrage over the gun violence in their neighborhoods. When asked about the Commissioner’s remarks on his radio show this morning, Mayor Bloomberg said he agreed with Kelly and that he’s “the best Police Commissioner the City has ever had.” The Mayor went on to say no one has done more to take guns off the streets and improve police-community relations than Kelly. Bloomberg also responded to criticism from local lawmakers, saying he sympathizes with the Commissioner’s frustration. The Mayor said: “Everything the police do is wrong to certain groups of people. They can’t possibly win.”

These comments come the same day community activists held rallies across the City to call for an end to gun violence. Speaker Quinn attended one news conference at the Chelsea Fulton Houses in Manhattan, but said it was not in response to Commissioner Kelly’s remarks. She said it was simply a gathering to support “a strong coalition of better community groups and police.” When asked directly about Kelly’s comments, she said: “I have long said and continue to say that whoever the next mayor of the City of New York is they would very lucky if Ray Kelly stays on as police commissioner.” What do you say?

Do you support Commissioner Kelly’s efforts to get guns off City streets? How well is he handling police-community relations? Do you think local leaders are overacting to Kelly’s comments or were the Commissioner’s remarks out of line?

Respond with your thoughts using the link above.

First of all these so called council members should have done something about the violence long before this instead of giving freebees away just to get votes. All of you politicians seem to think that you have no responsibilities to your areas. You all just collect your paychecks and bide your time until you all retire. I mean all of them like Schumer, etc. they are all to blame and he comes out like all of you do and that is always on a weekend. When you say take all the guns off the streets I do hope you mean illegal weapons. I have seen Christine Quinn be so spiteful and cut funds for certain members because they don’t vote her way. What gives with that?

How can she have so much power and I believe she showed up today because she has no idea which way to go and she had better forget about running for mayor. We need a whole new crop of people that will finally do something for all of us and not just few chosen ones.

I just read today on the net that the Bronx borough president has allotted mega funds as did other politicians. I don’t get it. I pay taxes. Where is mine.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

I fully support Commissioner Kelly's efforts to get guns off the streets and believe he isn't coming close to solving the problem. The Police Department can only do so much without the support and help of the residents they serve. Parents need to take an active role in the rearing of a child. It's easy to have a child, it's difficult to be a good parent. Youth today suffer from lack of guidance. They are easily influenced by the negative actions of others on the streets. Without guidance from the home, they fall victim to this negativism until they too are engaged in it, themselves.

Jessica
Arden Heights

If Commissioner Kelly were sincere about getting guns off the street, he would focus and rid the city of the source. The people who are buying and using the guns regrettably, are victims of an industry (NRA) sanctioned by the government.

Joyce
Springfield Gardens

Yes I do

He's right you do not see any of the neighborhoods leaders out there Yelling about the violence within their own community Bu the stop and frisk that they can scream about

Jim
Upper West Side

I support the comments Commissioner Kelly said about community leaders in minority neighborhoods. Kelly hit the nail right on the head about people not speaking up. But let's be honest the NYPD nor politicians have any idea on how to stop the violence in these communities. Police have lost trust due to stop & frisk, Politicians lost credibility by condemning good officers who work vigorously to protect innocent people. It is up to law biding citizens to fight for their right to protect themselves from these criminals. Such as having carry conceal permits and home permits for your family. No one can promise to keep you and your loved ones safe but you. Police are overwhelmed with everything that goes on in this city, Politicians will only do something if it involves a photo op. Always remember there's never a cop around when you need one. Fight for your 2nd amendment rights cause no one else will.

Rich
The Bronx

Ray Kelly has the right to say what he wants and people have the right to disagree with him. The tone of what he said probably rubbed people the wrong way, since it made it seem like minority communities were okay with all the gun violence that goes on. It probably reminds people of the attitude his boss, Mayor Bloomberg has towards many of the minority communities, and let's not make pretend that relationship is amicable at all. The fact is the Mayors policies have helped create this toxic environment where mostly young people seem to have little regard for human life, mostly due to a total lack of hope for themselves. Most of the communities where this is happening have little or nothing in the way of jobs, resources, or anything and the high unemployment rate and dismal education system that has festered under the Mayor is a major factor to all the gun violence in the city right now. If people had a real education, attainable goals for their future, a job to go to, and a decent home to come back to, there would not be people shooting each other in the streets. This culture of greed and everyone for themselves is producing these people and the fact they can find a gun easier then a job is as much of the problem as anything else.

Christine Quinn is just doing her tightrope walk act and looks more and more like Bloomberg-lite everyday. There is no way I would vote for her since she is nothing but and extension of Bloomberg's Manhattan-centric ideals. As for Kelly fighting to keep guns off the street, I'm sure he is doing his job to the best of his ability while also playing Army with the NYPD. It is ironic though that the day you are running this story there is another headline up about a cop being busted for selling stolen police issue handguns. I am sure he is going to be labeled some lone-wolf type, but he can't be the only one to dream up and idea like this. I wonder how many guns that are sent to be destroyed magically make their way back out into circulation?

RL
The Bronx

NYPD police commissioner Ray Kelly spoke out the other day about how local politicians are not doing all they can to speak out about the violence in their local communities. He says they are talking about things aganist the NYPD but not actively engaging communities leaders to be pro-active to stem the violence. Now for that I say to Commissioner Kelly," Kudos," for saying what had to be said. It's like the old saying." Everyone complains about the weather and yet no one does anything about it."The police in my view can't do it alone. It takes a whole community who are united and say enough is enough. A public outcry is needed to end the violence. As for me let me say this," I have a voice and I intend to use it" ! Quite unlike some of our political leaders who pretend they care and for the sake of political expediency find it easy to bash the NYPD rather than raise the battle aganist violence and death in our communities. Our police and the community need to form a partnership to attack the problem or else more men, women and children will surely die for no reason.

Freddy
Glen Oaks Village

It is not a crime to own a gun or to use one to defend oneself. See the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

Cities that have allowed more free ownership of guns via right to carry laws, have witnessed a decrease in gun-related crime. Bloomberg and his anti-gun actions are actually worsening the situation. Criminals will always have access to guns. But Bloomberg and Kelly want to disarm everyone.

What’s the old saying? If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns? And the police, of course, some of whom should be disarmed because of their overreaction in firing as many bullets as they can, sometimes at innocent people.

Joe
Port Richmond

NYCH projects are breeding grounds for a majority of crimes being committed today. There is not a day that goes by that you don't hear about a shooting at XYZ Houses. Clean them out and clean up NYCHA!

Steve
Forest Hills

I agree with the Commissioner Kelly. The best neighborhoods stand up and get involve. Unfortunately most hard working people in poor lower income neighborhoods do not know how powerful their voices are. EDUCATION in early child hood and up can help a great deal. Commissioner Kelly is only speaking the truth Kudos.

Adelin
Jamaica Queens

Its the U.S. Government to first toughen the gun trafficking laws, then the NYPD and ultimately the parents, we as parents must raise our kids, we must be strict and stern with these kids,these children think that parents are there friends, go in the bookbags, search those rooms, clothes, etc, that is your home the Parents have to take back their power!

Why not leave it to the people in the neighborhoods, let them vote for frisk or no frisk. Inevitably the bad guys will go to the no frisk area's

Gary

Something that politicians need to address is how gun manufacturers and the gun lubby, embidied by the NRA, have for decades consistently opposed any efforts to pass any reasonable gun control legislation. The flood of illegal guns on the streets is never going to be halted until politicians find the courage to stand up to the NRA.

Ben
Ridgewood

I think Commissioner Kelly is doing a great job. I find it unbelievable that people are blaming him for the guns on the streets.

Debbie
Whitestone

As a Latino woman I do recognize that the majority of people carrying or using guns in NYC belong to a minority group. This is a fact that our Latino and Black politicians want to hide under the false pretense of racism. They are quick to use the media to show indignation when someone in their community gets shot by a cop but invisible when it's the other way around.

this will never stop it will be an oldwest style till out states ban selling guns. or anothe guiliany come as a mayor to fix this issue. you have a gun then you get 25 years in prinson no question ask . or the fidel castro way. thanks

This whole situation about keeping the city safe is getting out of hand when it comes to the politicians n the PO commissioner! Community leaders aren't doing enough they actually make things worst when it comes community and NYPD! They are making communities hate police instead of joining together to get guns of the street! About the stop question n frisk of Latinos n blacks each academy class that's comes out n hit the streets on where the most crimes are being committed, most people stopped n questioned are known criminals, a lot has to b done but a constant battle between politicians n the commissioner is not what we need as people of the city

I do feel that communities should show more outrage over the gun violence,
THEY SHOULD at all time.

Ruthann
Queens

Community leaders & politicians should organize anti-violence rallies in those neighborhoods w/ the most gun violence. All those yelling & screaming about stop & frisk policies need to open their eyes to the real problem: their children &members of their communities are shooting & killing each other. Like it or not stop & frisk is saving lives!!

Dave
Flatbush

What does Commusioner Kelly think of his Police Officer stealing guns from other cops and selling them?? No press conference on that today!!! And I am really surprise you have not even mention it!!!!!

Ray Kelly and Mike Bloomberg can talk all they want about getting guns off the streets but they get away with an absolute violation of the Constitution by not allowing citizens to keep and carry guns if they so choose.

Criminals will remain criminals and must be caught and prosecuted but law abiding New Yorkers must be freely able to buy and carry firearms in the city. no licensing or other restrictions. gun violence will decrease whe this happens. it's protected by the US Constitution.

Victor
Manhattan

Lets make sure that all the people in the community get the services they need so we don't to go out and hurt each other. Ray Kelly should be working with Community leaders to combat gun violence, not just Community Leaders working on their own. It will take a collective effort between the Police Department, Community Leaders and the Community at large. We must work together to combat gun violence in the city.

In regard to police and gun violence, I was shot in the face while returning home from the brooklyn museum of art. While at a red light I was rear ended and upon exiting the car to look at the damage i was shot. Two points to be made about my experience - 1. The way I was interrogated by police officers and not aloud to return home after the hospital, one would think I was the criminal. Forced to look at pictures for hours and remove bandages is unjust 2. The city protects victems of violence from having to pay hospital bills, then why was I sued for not paying these bills? Why did I have to be reminded of being a victim and be threatened with a law suit for so long before the matters were cleared?

Bunnie
Jamaica

If the Kelly's the best commissioner we have we had then he's the most racist and out of touch mayor we have ever had

Ari
Chelsea

Most gun-crimes are committed with handguns, not rifles/shotguns. So any talk about the assault-weapons ban is useless. And most gun-crimes are committed with ILLEGALLY possessed guns, not legal gun-owners.

Dan

Currently NY's shooting's are down by 17%, while Chicago has an increase of 50%..The Chicago Mayor does not know what to do.....This was reported early today I believe that Kelley's stop and search policy has been a major factor why NY shooting's are down by 17%

Frank