Ray Kelly: Handguns In NYC Pose A Greater Danger Than Assault Weapons

Kelly: Handguns More Dangerous Than Assault Weapons
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 26: New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly speaks at a news conference on October 26, 2012 in New York City. Kelly discussed the city's storm preparations and his impromptu bedside promotion this morning of Ivan Marcano, an off-duty officer who was shot this week while confronting two robbers. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 26: New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly speaks at a news conference on October 26, 2012 in New York City. Kelly discussed the city's storm preparations and his impromptu bedside promotion this morning of Ivan Marcano, an off-duty officer who was shot this week while confronting two robbers. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has penned an editorial for The New York Post to highlight the danger of illegal handguns in New York City.

While commending recent efforts towards an assault weapons ban, Kelly points out that 90 percent of illegal weapons seized by police in New York City are handguns, not assault rifles:

Ninety percent, or 2,493, of the 2,779 illegal firearms seized from suspects in arrests in the city last year were handguns.

By contrast, a total of 77 assault weapons were seized in arrests in the city, less than 3 percent of the total.

In only three of nearly 1,400 shooting incidents last year were ballistics associated with assault weapons.

Kelly also emphasized the danger of illegal handguns during an appearance on "Face the Nation" Sunday.

The police commissioner says he supports universal background checks "regardless of how or where the gun is sold," as a means to reduce the number of illegal weapons purchased through the "so-called gun show loophole."

Kelly and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have long campaigned for stronger gun control measures. In November, Kelly even took a jab at President Barack Obam for his lack of action on the issue.

"Maybe the city most affected (by guns) is Chicago" Kelly said, according to The New York Daily News. "The President’s hometown. But barely a peep out of him.”

After the Newtown shooting in December, President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have actively pursued new gun control policies.

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