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Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney suggested the Second Amendment and the United States Supreme Court were too lenient when it came to gun rights, following a shooting that injured two police officers near a Fourth of July event on Monday night.
Standing outside the hospital where the two police officers were treated for gunshot injuries, Kenney told a group of reporters that only police officers should be allowed to own guns and that he is looking forward to retiring, so he no longer has to deal with gun violence.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney spoke about a July Fourth shooting that left a pair of police officers with gunshot injuries. (Fox 29)
"I’m concerned every single day," the mayor said just after midnight Tuesday morning, alongside Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. "I’ll be happy when I’m not the mayor," he added.
During the press conference, Kenney said Philadelphians were enjoying Monday’s festivities up until the tragic shooting.
PHILADELPHIA SHOOTING: 2 POLICE OFFICERS INJURED DURING FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
"It was a chilled back day, beautiful weather. But we live in America where we have the Second Amendment and we have the Supreme Court of the United States telling everybody they can carry a gun wherever they want," he said.
The mayor said he recently visited Canada and remarked that gun violence did not once cross his mind.
"I was in Canada two weeks ago and never thought about a gun," he said. "The only people I knew who had guns in Canada were police officers."
"That's the way it should be here," Kenney stated, before saying such an idea was "never going to happen" in his lifetime.
Two police officers were shot Monday evening during a Fourth of July gathering in Philadelphia on July 4, 2022. (FOX 29 Philadelphia)
The Democrat mayor described gun violence as a plague on his city and said he often worries that shootings might occur at large events.
PHILADELPHIA COP SHOT IN HEAD FOUND BULLET LODGED IN HIS HAT; BOTH OFFICERS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
"There's a lot of goofballs out there with guns and they can get them anytime they want, so this is what we have to live with."
Kenney also suggested he would unilaterally strip citizens of the right to own firearms — if he had the authority to do so.
"If I had the ability to take care of guns, I would," he said. "But the legislature won't let us. Congress won't let us. The governor does the best he can [and] the attorney general does the best he can, but this is a gun country."
"It's crazy," Kenney added. "We're the most armed country in world history and we're one of the least safest (sic)."
Two police officers were shot Monday evening during a Fourth of July gathering in Philadelphia on July 4, 2022. (FOX 29 Philadelphia)
"Until Americans decide that they want to give up the guns and give up the opportunity to get guns, we’re going to have this problem," he told reporters.
The mayor, who was wearing a soccer jersey, was then asked if he was concerned large social gatherings or sports events could be subject to gun violence.
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"I don’t enjoy the Fourth of July," the mayor responded. "I didn’t enjoy the Democratic National Convention. I didn’t enjoy the NFL draft. I’m waiting for something bad to happen all the time."
Both officers who were shot on Monday night were released from the hospital hours later.
