TORONTO

Olivia Chow’s mayoral rivals — including Mayor Rob Ford — were quick to shoot down her push for a handgun ban Monday.

Chow promised Monday to seek a ban on pistols and revolvers, insisting the country requires more stringent gun control.

“We have a mayor that for the last four years justified the use of guns,” said Chow, who made her pledge during a press conference at Ephraim’s Place in North York.

“He opposed the long-gun registry and what I want to do is work with big city mayors to tighten control so there is no illegal guns coming from the States.”

Hours later, Ford — who remains the subject of an ongoing Toronto Police investigation and refuses to meet with Project Brazen 2 detectives — issued a statement accusing Chow of “grandstanding” and claiming he’s given cops the resources to “clean up our streets.”

Former mayor David Miller advocated unsuccessfully for a handgun ban during his tenure.

“We need a ban on handguns,” Chow insisted. “There is no reason why anyone needs a handgun in the City of Toronto.”

In a statement, Ford’s campaign accused Chow of “doing what she does best, political grandstanding.

“Chow knows full well that criminal law surrounding firearms are a federal issue, with limited municipal oversight,” the statement read. “Yet, as a federal MP, when Olivia Chow had the opportunity to make a real difference by supporting tougher laws for illegal handguns, she voted against it.

“As mayor, Rob Ford has given Toronto Police the resources they need to clean up our streets and make a lasting impact.”

Rival candidate John Tory dismissed Chow’s call for a handgun ban as an empty gesture. “Handguns are already strictly regulated by the federal government,” Tory stated.

“What Ms. Chow doesn’t seem to understand is that criminals and gang members don’t obey the law. Calling for such a ban isn’t leadership.”

Candidate David Soknacki called Chow’s announcement “content-free.”

“(Handgun bans) are ineffective and it is not in the jurisdiction,” he added.

Councillor Karen Stintz, who’s also running for mayor, accused Chow of not doing her “homework” on community safety.

“In 2008, I was proud to stand with my colleagues and vote in favour of a motion asking the federal government to ban handguns,” Stintz said in a statement. “Olivia’s proposal from (Monday) morning offers nothing new.”