Screenshot: CNN

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg questioned why law enforcement officers don't go on strike because of the availability of high-powered rifle ammunition that defeats many ballistic vests.

Bloomberg, during an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan on Monday, said officers should go on strike until lawmakers pass tougher gun and ammunition control laws. The two discussed the July 20 Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting where a gunman killed 12 and wounded 58.

"I don't understand why the police officers across this country don't stand up collectively and say we're going to go on strike," Bloomberg said. "We're not going to protect you unless you, the public, through your legislature, do what's required to keep us safe."

Bloomberg, a longtime gun-control advocate, said he is frustrated with the availability of ammunition and firearm supplies.

"Police officers want to go home to their families. And we're doing everything we can to make their job more difficult, but more importantly, more dangerous, by leaving guns in the hands of people who shouldn't have them and letting people who have those guns buy things like armor-piercing bullets," he added. "The only reason to have an armor-piercing bullet is to go through a bullet-resistant vest. The only people that wear bullet-resistant vests are our police officers."

View the CNN clip here.