Kenney: Greed is at heart of Philly’s gun violence

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is commending President Obama’s executive orders aimed at tightening the country’s gun laws.

Kenney says closing the so-called “gun show loophole” and requiring more background checks should be viewed as progress.

But Kenney also says there’s a larger reality that’s not being addressed by the president.

“The fact that anybody, almost anyone, can get a gun, even if they’re crazy,” Kenney said. “It’s not the Second Amendment. It’s not the right to bear arms. It’s greed of gun makers and gun dealers, and that’s what’s what it’s about, greed. As long as we acknowledge that it’s about making money on the backs and carnage of citizens of every city throughout the country, then we’re going to have what we have.”

Pro-gun groups like the NRA point out that most violent criminals obtain guns illegally, or through straw buyers, arguing that strengthening checks won’t affect crime.

But Kenney says Obama’s executive action proposals would be an improvement. In Philly, Kenney says, easy access to guns is the city’s No. 1 crime problem.