Eric Adams, Joe Biden Meet To Discuss Gun Violence In NYC

NEW YORK CITY — In a meeting with political and law enforcement leaders Monday afternoon, Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams and President Biden discussed ways to address the surge of gun violence in New York City and nationwide – including improving the connection between local and federal efforts.

Though there are limits on what can be done at the federal level, according to the Associated Press, Biden promised to support anti-crime efforts on the ground.

"We know when we utilize trusted community members and encourage more community policing, we can intervene before the violence erupts," the president said at the meeting.

In a press briefing Monday morning, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he agrees with Adams that the city could benefit from an improved connection between local and federal anti-gun efforts.

"We need as much federal help as possible outside the boundaries of New York City to stop the flow of guns," de Blasio said at the briefing. "Inside the boundaries of New York City, I think we're doing pretty well in terms of the increase in gun arrests, obviously, and the crucial thing we need is to stop the flow of guns coming in."

Adams, a former NYPD captain, has spent his career speaking out against police misconduct, though he is against the "defund the police" movement.

The mayoral candidate was a founder of a group that fought against racial profiling in policing and advocated for the hiring of more officers of color, the Associated Press said.

His plan would provide funding to cities that need more police, offer community support and crack down on gun violence and illegal firearms.

De Blasio said he is glad the federal government wanted to meet with Adams.

"He’s someone who's spent over 20 years as a police officer," de Blasio said. "He has some great ideas about how to protect people while continuing reform. I think it’s great they want to hear his ideas."

The meeting came almost one week after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order declaring gun violence a disaster emergency.

The $138 million, seven-step plan that Cuomo introduced on Tuesday in response to the crisis involves holding gun manufacturers accountable and preventing people with outstanding warrants from purchasing guns.

"We've gone from one epidemic to another," Cuomo said in a speech at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, adding that more people are dying statewide from gun violence than COVID-19.