US needs ‘national response’ to gun violence: New York mayor Eric Adams

New York Mayor Eric Adams reacted to Tuesday’s shooting in Brooklyn and said that the United States required a “national response” to gun violence, explaining that the problem was widespread. “We are facing a problem that is hitting our entire nation right now and that is why this is a national response”, he said.

New York Police Department identified Frank James as a “person of interest” in the shooting. The suspect reportedly used a gas canister, put on a gas mask and started firing inside the train.

Also Read: NYC’s Brooklyn subway shooting could have been worse. Here’s how

“As I stated over and over again, there are many rivers that feed the sea of violence in our city and in our country. Let us dam each one of them and some of that damming is going to come from assistance from the lawmakers throughout the state and country”, Adams told CNN.

“This is a real herculean task and our police department is responding to it every day”, the New York City mayor added.

Adams also suggested ways to tackle the problem, starting with an appeal to the state legislature. He said that “ghost guns” should be made illegal. 

Also Read: NBA’s Brooklyn Nets donate $50,000 to victims of subway shooting

Adams also suggested that lawmakers should empower the United States US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE).

Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Also Read: Who is Frank James, person of interest in Brooklyn subway shooting?

Sitting in the back of the train’s second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

He said police later found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.