Emanuel Speaks At Panel Discussion On Gun Violence
CHICAGO (CBS) -- He was shot at a gas station, tried to drive to the hospital, and died. As a murder victim's family was demanding stronger gun laws in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel was pushing for stricter gun control nationwide.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports the mayor was speaking about guns at the University of Chicago on Tuesday, at a gun violence panel discussion, called "The Politics of Guns in America."
The mayor suggested to other panelists and an overflow crowd that he's tired of waiting for something to be done about gun violence.
Emanuel was already planning to introduce new gun control ordinances this week, and told the crowd at the panel discussion that new federal laws would be the most valuable in the fight against gun violence, if they're thoughtful.
"There is federal legislation today, as it relates to shotguns, that is … a ban, no more than three at any one time," he said. "We are more protective of ducks than we are of kids."
Emanuel said the president should get as much done as he can by bypassing a reluctant Congress.
"Whatever you can do by executive order, take care of it. An executive order is not as good as legislation, but if you can do it, do it," he said.
Earlier Tuesday, there were others calling for new and tougher gun laws.
Joining CeaseFire volunteers and other West Side clergymen was a pastor who has lost three of his nephews to gun violence in recent years, including 23-year-old Gregory Bady Jr., who was shot at a West Side gas station on Monday, and died trying to drive himself to the hospital.
His uncle, Rev. Yancy Bady, said, "No family should have to live like this in a civilized society. We are slaughtering each other."
Another panelist at the University of Chicago on Tuesday – a former Congressman and a member of the National Rifle Association – suggested, in his opinion, the chances of getting severe gun control laws passed this year in Congress are slim to none.
