New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R), accompanied by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, addresses a news conference in the Blue Room of New York's City Hall, April 16, 2013. (Richard Drew/AP Photo)

New York: Mayor Bloomberg Announces Largest Seizure of Illegal Guns in History

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday morning announced the city’s largest seizure of illegal guns in its history.

At a press conference, Bloomberg said there were more than 250 “out of state gun-trafficking operations” that were seized by police.

There were 19 arrests made in the operation, breaking up a major gun-running ring in North and South Carolina. Around half of the guns were from the two states.

They include assault weapons and automatic weapons.

He said the Carolinas have “weak laws” that allow criminals to purchase guns at ease.

Bloomberg said that such laws put people in New York City at risk, saying that his administration has pursued at concerted effort to reduce gun crime.

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“There is no doubt that the seizure of these guns has saved lives,” Bloomberg said.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelley said there is “no clearer picture” of the threats posed to New Yorkers and police officers than of the 250 guns that were seized.

A 26-year-old aspiring rapper from North Carolina, Matthew Best, who posted several guns on Instagram, was one of the targets in the case. He boasted on YouTube of “packing more guns than the Air Force.”

The NYPD said that an SKS semi-automatic was in bag of a 22-year-old woman, who was among those arrested.