While I would like to hear President Obama's and Mitt Romney's detailed plans to curb gun violence, I can see why neither candidate is taking a strong stance on the issue. This is a lose-lose situation for both of them. If they start outlining gun control proposals, they'll be criticized for using tragedy to capitalize their campaign agendas. The other alternative would be to act as they are now, offering condolences and speaking broadly on the topic, but not outlining any concrete solutions. And, as we already know, this plan of action is not well-received. In that case, I say put politics aside and speak up on the issue.

New York City detectives are investigating the shooting death of a four-year-old boy in the Bronx last night. Police say Lloyd Morgan was shot in the head in a playground in Morrisania's Forest Houses after getting caught in crossfire from a gunfight nearby.

Meantime, Mayor Bloomberg is again calling on the presidential candidates to come up with a specific plan on gun control. In the wake of the mass shooting outside Denver, Bloomberg said today the candidates "have an obligation not to duck the issue, but to tell us what they're going to do." The suspect in the movie theater shooting, 24-year-old James Holmes, showed little emotion today during his first court appearance.

What's your reaction to the shooting death of a four-year-old boy in the Bronx last night? Do you agree with Mayor Bloomberg's criticism of President Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney? How safe do you feel in New York City?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

Was he stopped and frisked?...(rhetorical question) of course not he's white and we all know whites don't commit gun violence and therefore have no reason to be stopped and frisked (sarcasm)

Francisco (upper west side)

I agree with mayor Bloomberg, gun violence has reached the outrageous point, the President and other political figures most call for an end to the easy access of weapons such as the AK-47 and other lethal guns which are basically weapons of mass destruction aimed at innocent civilians by lunatics.

Felix Bay Ridge

This gun thing is so out of control.Something needs to change

Rosalie from Canarsie.

First of all, it is sad to say, but, having protests "after" criminals have, unlawfully, shot and/or killed individuals does nothing to deter or prevent the criminals from killing more people in the future. Bloomberg has it right this time the people who want to lead this country for the next 4 years need to "do something." The public is always being told that if they "See something then say something" then the candidates and politicians obviously are "Seeing something and doing nothing!."

As for James Holmes I believe that in time information will come out that shows that Holmes was a disturbed person long before the shootings. Some very bright people know exactly what to say when they go to the therapist and complete the sessions laughing at the therapists for wasting their time. In his case it is not the guns, bombs, etc. it is the sick demented person who plans this kind of home grown terrorism to make himself or herself feel like a winner. Too bad that he doesn't get it is that he is a BIG TIME LOSER! Now who is da joker...joker!

kathy from Throggs Neck da bronx

I feel pretty safe from violent crime in NYC, but I know that people living in less secure circumstances have reason to be wary or afraid every day. The Bronx shooting is a tragedy.

Candidates for any higher office should make gun control a priority on the national level. There is no way that the NRA can continue to justify (or pressure candidates into passively condoning) home-owned assault weapons, lack of waiting periods/background checks or the ability to acquire illegal guns so easily.

Anni
Upper West Side

The shooting death of a four year old in the Bronx shows the ignorance of many of our young people in this City to date. For those close to the shooting, knowledge of who the shooter(s) are is evident to anyone living in that neighborhood. That they would rather have someone else come forward and tell police who these perpetrators are is an unfortunate but typical response to crime. On the one hand, you have community activists complaining about stop and frisk; yet many people living in these neighborhoods are aware that the ones that are typically stopped were stopped for 'good reason.' I am not saying there is no abuse; there is and NYPD needs to clean up its force and do something about the 'blue wall' of silence.

The perpetrators who started the shooting did not care about who was sitting or standing nearby. They wanted to send a clear message to whomever they were shooting at; for that reason alone, New York should have a law that makes it a mandatory life sentence for that kind of reckless and dangerous behavior; it is the main reason I moved my family out of the Bronx; How is it that young people have no care for life? Anyone's life? A four year old was killed for no reason-no reason. The daily news papers, politicians, and to a degree even law enforcement do not care. How did these thugs obtain a gun? Why are drugs still prevalent even in the more affluent neighborhoods of our City. Why are parents in Morrisania, Bed Sty, Red Hook, Alphabet City silent? To the parents of Shianne Norman:

Ezekiel 25:17.
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

Lee
Astoria, NY

I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS OWN A GUN, OR PERMIT?, INCLUDING BLOOMBERG.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. And out of control cops.

The second amendment to the constitution guarantees our right to the possession of arms, i. e. guns.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

The death of yet another innocent child is always terrible to hear, and my condolences go out to his family. New York City is going to continue to be unsafe as long as we have the lack of education and widening gap of income disparity that breeds the conditions that lead to this violence. People like Bloomberg will never address the root cause of the social ills that perpetuate this lack of regard for human life because it would require looking in a mirror and assessing their own greed and avarice. Guns as an easy tool of killing are just a scapegoat at this juncture and the main concern with their use is the amount of damage they can deal in an easier manner. Would all of these killings be any less deplorable if someone was using a knife, a baseball bat or their bare hands? The Mayor using these current tragedies is just more of his ego trip, and he does care about the lives of all the other young, black boys in this city, but he chooses to exploit this incident to get his face on national television. We still haven't heard a peep out of him or Kelly about the NYPD officer charged with selling guns, but yet they insinuate themselves in a tragedy that happened hundreds of miles away, typical.

And what Bloomberg fails to realize (or is just playing dumb about), is that the majority of the rest of this country want to have the right to bear arms because they hate and distrust other people so they feel they have to protect themselves. And at the same time there are many politicians who get their pockets lined by the gun lobby, and they aren't going to give up that money any faster than Bloomberg and his cronies would give up the money they get from Wall Street. Neither industry cares about people and they both cause a lot of pain and destruction for the financial gains of those at the top. The immediate and bloody nature of people being killed by guns naturally shocks the public, but the amount of people who have been driven to poverty, sickness and death by the big business mentality Bloomberg worships is probably just as high. The Mayor wants all of this reform then it should include putting White Collar criminals in the same jails with people who sell guns and commit murders, crime is crime after all.

RL
The Bronx

James Holmes, allegedly killed 12 and injured 58 in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado where the new Batman movie was showing called," The dark knight rises." This brings much sadness to our nation again. Our heartfelt prayers go out to these families who lost love ones and those who were injured in this senseless massacre. This was an egregious and nefarious act that was perpetrated by an individual that was the personification of pure evil. A movie theater is suppose to be a place that should be safe, I guess no more. We are becoming a nation under seize by those who have no regard for innocent lives. Evil is what evil does.It looks like more will have to be done to protect us like at airports where scanners are used and pat down are performed on our persons not to mention more cameras being used. This is really sad that we have come to this. My question is how do we stop the mentally unbalance from obtaining guns? I think with all the safe guards we install evil will still exist. We must be forever vigilant in observing our surroundings. Again remember that if we see something we must say something. Remember this too: Evil thrives when good people do nothing.

Frederick
Glen Oaks Village

I have mentioned more that once that the outer boroughs have become the okay corral. It's a damn shame and no one but no one is doing anything about it.
If I were this Mayor he should adhere to the paragraph starting with Meantime. Look in the mirror.
He looks like a crazed person with this gun obsession. How many serve time when they are caught with weapons?

This guy is just looking to dictate and it's becoming an obsession with him mainly because he has no legacy to leave when he finally gets out of here.

Thank you John,
WE CAN GO ON AND ON ABOUT THIS MAYOR FOREVER AND EVER.

maxxiee
mp

We need to begin programs with the perpetrator and their parents--counseling programs. Kids have to learn different ways to connect to one another and to resolve conflicts. These young guys use guns and develop "tough hides" to cover up their multitude of hurts and disappointments. The cycle of fatherless children and teenage parents contribute to these outcomes. We need to get to the causes of these behaviors NOW.

Shelley, Park Slope

Sir. Did you ever travel west. Guns are a part of their culture. They walk with rifles, and hand guns. People are polite, and officers are very kind. But don't speak about gay rights, gun control, and abortion rights. You could get hurt. A close friend engaged in a debate on gay rights, and gun control. He had to leave the community. nevertheless, don't challenge the police with a hand gun because you will be executed. Officers don't get arrested, or brought before a grand jury. Crime and murder rates are very low. Guns are a big business and the nra is very powerful. In addition, many of the congress men are from these states. Sir, you have good motives. However, but don't challenge them you will start the second American revolution. Also, stop and search is systemic whites blacks and others are subjected to search. Even the illegals. I wish you well. but my friend almost lost his life at ohio state . When they found out he was jewish they were going hang him. Ignorance and hatred still exist.sir, continue your work manage the books keep are city solvent. Please reflect on the above.

anthony

3,000 Americans died on 9/11 and the country took extraordinary steps here and abroad to prevent further attacks. Since then, 300,000 Americans have died, and 600,000 more have been injured, from gun violence, and Americans tie their own hands as if nothing can be done. Why don't we at least try some measures that would not infringe AT ALL on any American's rights?

John

Very sad and tragic situation, but......

Why was that 4 year old boy allowed to be out playing at 9:30 PM? He should have been home and in bed!

Same with the 6 year old girl that was killed at the Batman movie.... 6 years old, up at midnight, and watching a 3 hour long movie?!

Parents need to start acting like parents.... and not treat their kids like FRIENDS. No excuse for kids at such a young age to be out so late.

Lisa
Rego Park NY

Why are these children not at home at these late hours like we use to be? A 4 year old killed at a basketball tournament at 10:00 at night. A 6 year old at a movie theatre for a midnight showing of a movie? The movie will have showings all weekend long! Hate to say it but parents need to start making smarter decisions.s isn't Pleasantville, USA. We need the children, They're the future.

Norm Upper Eastside

God Bless Dean Meminger. He is speaking from the heart and he is clearly not "just reporting." It is so clear that he is sincere. He is one of your best. We need to have this madness stop.

As much as it pains me to agree with Bloomberg about anything, I have to admit he is right when it comes to this matter. Assault weapons should be banned.

Frances
East Village

When I hear someone got shot, especially a bystander this statement by Chris Rock comes to my mind..... I believe this should be enacted in the law !

"Gun control? We need bullet control! I think every bullet should cost $5,000. Because if a bullet cost $5,000, we wouldn't have any innocent bystanders. That'd be it. Every time someone gets shot, people will be like, ''Damn, he must have did something...they put $20,000 worth of bullets in his a$$.'' People would think before they killed somebody, if a bullet cost $5,000. ''Man, l would blow your...head off, if l could afford it. l'm gonna get me another job, l'm gonna start saving some money, and you're a dead man! You better hope l can't get no bullets on layaway.'' So even if you get shot by a stray bullet, you won't have to go to no doctor to get it taken out. Whoever shot you would take their bullet back. ''l believe you got my property.''

Thaher

None os us is safe if everyone is too busy trying to be politically correct instead of protecting the number 1 right humans have: THE RIGHT TO LIVE!!!!! Anyone who can't go along with that is partner in crime.

Barbara

GUN CONTROL AND STOP AND FRISK ARE NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND FIND OUT WHAT WRONG.

PEDRO
BRONX

Our deepest sympathy to the family of the 4 year old, and all the families of victims of gun violence.

I'm writing in "red" tonight, because it symbolizes the "blood" that continues to run throughout the streets not only in NYC, but this country. Though I seldom agree with the Mayor, I agree with him 100% that it's "past-time" the president and others seeking to govern this country - tell us what they intend to do to stop the violence in "America." Needless to say, not one president, or wanna-be president has ever committed themselves to finding solutions to stop the gun, drug or gang violence in these great "United States." Instead, our government has let the mighty dollar from the gun lobby become more relevant than the lives of the people. SHAME, SHAME!

Eighteen years ago, I said "enough is enough" and eighteen years later everyone except for our government is saying "enough is enough."

Pass "federal gun, drugs and gang laws" and enforce them!

Liz
Rosedale
Mothers Against Guns

Mayor Bloomberg has the wrong target in his sights(no pun intended)....he should be focusing his indignation on that barbarian, tyrannical organization known as the NRA.
.....thanks....

Jeff....Manhattan

We all as a society have to do something about the unnecessary shooting and senseless killings, Parents must stand up and be Parents, raise our kids! Don't let them run you! The right to bear arms needs to be amended! Its a shame that our kids are afraid to succeed!the hope is gone! My heart is breaking for these victims of gun violence!

Monique

I wanna know where is Donna Lieberman and the ACLU and why isn't she on tv admitting that stop and frisk is a necessary evil? The crackdown on guns should have a new name. The Lloyd Morgan Initiative.

Jimmy from the Bronx.

My heart breaks for that poor child whose life was taken so quickly. I can't even watch the news because it just upsets me so and my heart bleeds for his mother and the family. My God, what is the world coming to? You can't even take your child to a playground or a movie! The Politicians need to get a grip on this and do something about it. Its a damn shame when any lunatic can buy a gun off the street or at a gun shop. You can't keep selling guns to every Tom, Dick or Harry. The worse part is that none of the people who buy guns at a gun shop are ever checked out or checked out properly.

Mimi
Great Kills

I have a young black son who frequents most neighborhood basketball games in the Bronx and Harlem. I'm afraid for him every day so I support frisking. If you're not a part of the problem then you should support every effort to resolve the problem. My teenage son should be frisked and so should every other boy. If this is what it takes to keep us safe and preserve the life of the innocent then it should be enforced immediately.

Daneil

I've been visiting NYC for years and moved here at the beginning of the month. There are reports of local shootings and gun violence seemingly daily since I've been here. Perhaps Bloomberg should focus his energy and passion on this subject upon the city of which he was elected to manage instead of speaking broadly about gun control on the national level. He voluntarily choose to look past the FACT that the Colorado shooter's AR15 (the automatic weapon Bloomberg is "on" about) jammed during use and he used a shotgun and a handgun instead...both of which will remain LEGAL to own even if semi-autos are banned nationally. How did this guy get elected? He sure hates large sodas, too.

RockinRoll Muzack

I seem to remember something about reaping what one sows.
Can it be that there are some 300 million guns in the U.S.?
And can it also be that no politician, Dem. or Rep., wants
to take on the NRA?

Will the people rise up and demand action on gun control?
Not anytime soon, if I read the current political climate
accurately. How to defeat the NRA? We'll have to start
from the ground up -- throw out the politicians who
help the NRA keep its stranglehold on this issue.

To those who say that people kill people, not guns,
keep in mind that your child, spouse, brother, sister,
wife or husband could be next.

Sleep well, folks.

Mike,
Fresh Meadows, New York

The easy access to guns, legal and illegal, in this town and this country is outrageous.

The Second Amendment uses the words "well regulated." Congress, President Obama and Mitt Romney have failed in their responsibility to regulate access to guns. Who is to blame for the fact that idiots like whoever shot four-year old Lloyd Morgan in the Bronx and and the idiot who shot all those people at the Batman movie, can get deadly weapons so easily?

Bobby G
East Village

I believe that all democrats,and republicans should come together and focus more on the violence and drugs on the streets than politics.people are dying more and more everyday and nobody has taken action on the situation at hand today.we need to all come together as one and band all the drugs and violence that's killing our children.if we can all come together for 911, we can come together for violence on the streets.mayor bloomberg should deserve the gold medal for standing up against gun violence and run for president on the next election because we need strong people like him in power today to get the job done.my name is anthony from greensboro north carolina.

anthony

Stricter laws aren't going to change the fundamental issue. Guns are ingrained in the good ole american culture. As is violence. Until we have a change in our value system, enforced by law, nothing is going to significantly change.

Valentina

I just saw Alex Teves’ father on Anderson Cooper. He hit the nail right on the head.
A COWARD did this cowardly act. No PICTURE, NO NAME, NO FAME. His simple
example of not showing people who run on to the baseball field is perfect. He should
disappear from the headlines. I loved it when he challenged CNN to start not mentioning
or showing this coward.

I can't watch the interview of the mother that lost her 4 year old son.
It breaks my heart. He's in heaven to early.

Tom Brooklyn, N.Y.

You begin to solve the problem by stop blaming the problem on guns. People shoot people.The first thing you do is to label millions of young men,especially a large percentage of minority males, as psychologically and societally dysfunctional. Address the crime problem as a mental health issue and then allocate mental health resources to help them. It can be done.

Felix

The second amendment certainly wasn' t written to protect automatic and semi-automatic assault weapons or high capacity gun magazines. These are weapons of war designed to kill many people as quickly as possible. They are appropriate for hunting or for self protection in any residential setting.

Mayor Bloomberg is right that there should be a national discussion.

Maybe if the presidential candidates focussed on common sense solutions to our national problem of gun violence, it would be catching and they could try to apply common sense rather than just rhetoric to our economic problems as well.

Edie, Manhattan

It's unbelievable: we came from Holland on vacation in America and we were controlled a thousand times before we were allowed to visit your country.

It's a shame people in America can go out of the street with a weapon.

Greetings a family from Holland.

it's very sad about a 4 year old boy had to die because of a gun but y is a four year old out in a play ground not only should there be a law for guns but I don't think a four year old should be out playing but as for guns police need to keep the stop going on

Victoria

Never trust a govt. (or a politician) who doesn't trust it's citizens with guns.

Richard

Very sad and tragic situation, but......

Why was that 4 year old boy allowed to be out playing at 9:30 PM? He should have been home and in bed!

Same with the 6 year old girl that was killed at the Batman movie.... 6 years old, up at midnight, and watching a 3 hour long movie?!

Parents need to start acting like parents....protect their kids and keep them away from dangerous situations. No excuse for kids at such a young age to be out so late.

Lisa
Rego Park NY

What will it take to rid the streets of assault weapons and illegal handguns. Determintation and equal penalties for those with and without resources. Guns, plain and simple, are designed to kill the living. How thick does one have to be to get that? Look, it's too easy to get them if you want. Something is wrong here.

laceup

Gun control is critical. The kind of everyday citizen that wants to arm themselves 'legally' is already of a mindset that they would use it. And these kinds of people don't deserve guns.

Chris from Brooklyn

The shooting death of that child was tragic..Mayor Bloomberg is using it for his anti-gun political platform which is disgusting..Stop and Frisk is WRONG this is America not Russia...there are sufficient gun laws why don't the District Attorneys utilize them instead of making "DEALS" all the time thats the problem not gun ownership..The Second Amendment was created by President Thomas Jefferson to give WE THE PEOPLE the right to protect ourselves from any attempts by an OVERBEARING Government to control us or destroy our Constitution and rights...trust the police..sure trust the military sure both are run by those like Bloomberg and others who would DARE tell an American how he should live and what he should eat..TRAITORS ALL ...want the violence to stop..START ENFORCING THE CURRENT FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS ON GUN POSSESSION

stevens

Both pres candidates need to unite against guns.

Sandy

Enough with this cowboy mentality, if everyone was walking around with a gun the world would not be a better place.

You shouldn't be able to walk out of a store with a rifle, a case of beer and baby diapers. But in 2012 it seems to be the American dream.

Patrick
Astoria

There is nothing government can do to stop one dedicated maniac from killing people. Long before guns were invented, people were still getting murdered. The problem is the culture of violence and death that we promote in our society. We ban our children from seeing a boob on TV, but watching a shoot-out is just fine. It's cultural.

Frank, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

John, the arguments that "people kill people" and "criminals will find assault weapons no matter what" are missing the big picture. If assault weapons are harder for EVERYONE to procure, they will be harder for criminals to get. These weapons are made legally and someone originally buys them legally. Them they make their way into the wrong hands.

The point is that they originate as LEGAL weapons.

Period. It is as simple as that.

Jacob

Gun coming into our state need to be halted Mr. Bloomberg, the blacks are the most watch beings on the earth. Who are bringing these guns in our state and country.

Peggy

Although I am 100% for gun control, I can understand the tremendous reluctance to allow government to impose gun laws for fear that the 2nd Amendment will be violated.

Look how government creates the abuse of power: Bloomberg is now determining what we eat and drink. Give them an inch and they’ll take a yard is a reality.

Simone - Manhattan

PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. GUNS DO NOT KILL PEOPLE!!!! Everyone wanna be said bout death and quick to raise a R.I.P sign but don't want to stop the violence.

Candacy from Queens

At the end of the day, we can blame the city and the NYPD, what really needs to happen is, the community needs to step up. and start helping the police. when things happen nobody wants to step up and point people out. its not snitching" these people are not your friends or family" they care thugs and murders. so who cares. protect your love ones and get them off the street.

Rob from maspeth, queens.

I live in the Bronx and I have to say the issue at hand is socialization. This senseless death is only another highlight to war zone the Bronx is becoming. Stop and Frisk is only making things worse, I think Assemblyman Stevenson's wand idea is horrific can you imagine walking to the grocery store and being profiled and wanded. Imagine the lines on the streets this is a way deeper issue more numbers only equals more agitation.

Isaac

by living in new york and knowing how racist some of these city officials and the cops are in the black community, I wouldn’t be surprised that the cops aren’t supplying the guns into the black community for all of the killing of the black in this city.

earl

Kids are dying outside at the playground, on purpose? I mean, a child can't come out to play because lack of concern for your neighbor & you feel the need to handle a personal beef in broad daylight? Today, I feel like we're living in a world where people don't care about one another anymore.

Aisha- the bronx.

The best solution for stricter gun control is for all the city mayors, police chiefs and gun victims families to form their own coalition group whose first priority would be to expose all the politicians who are being bought and sold by the NRA and make them pay for it at the polls this November.

Jimmy
Astoria, NY