MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Memphis Mayor A C Wharton says when it comes to guns on the streets of the Bluff City, he's had enough.
Hours after President Barack Obama's announcement on gun control, Wharton said he is sick of a morbid weekend tradition he has with Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong.
"Every Sunday evening, as opposed to getting ballgame scores, from Director Armstrong, he calls and gives me body count scores," a clearly fed-up Mayor Wharton said.
"This is not Afghanistan, this is not Baghdad, here we are in civilized modern day America, and every weekend we do a body count," he said.
Mayor Wharton says the biggest problems in Memphis continue to be illegal and stolen guns.
"I am not out to banish all guns, that's nonsense to me, but let's laser focus on the folks that are out here on the streets," he said.
Personally, Mayor Wharton says he owns a gun.
"I was raised in the country; where I lived there were three things everybody had in their house: a Bible, a guitar, and a gun. We had all three," Wharton said. "I still have a gun. Don't have a guitar. Do have a Bible."
Wharton says he would like to see more done from the bottom up, doubting Congress could have the immediate impact the Mayor says is needed here.
