BOSTON — It's a problem Boston Police are working to tackle: the high number of guns on our streets.
We spoke one-on-one with Boston's top cop about the issue, as the department investigates a violent week in the city: A dozen shootings, one deadly in just the past 8 days.
Comparing this year to last, firearm arrests are up in the city from 282 to 303 this year, according to the Boston Police Department. That's 21 more arrests.
>>PREVIOUS: UMass Boston assistant basketball coach killed in Dorchester shooting
Boston Police Commissioner William Gross is calling on Washington to help make a change.
Gross told Boston 25 News that uniform federal gun laws are needed to stop the flow of illegal guns.
He spoke less than 24 hours after two teens were shot on Michigan Avenue and Elliott Street, and about the frustrating truth for Bostoninans: While gun laws are strict, illigal firearms continue to pile up.
"We have the lowest homicide rate of any state when it comes to gun violence, one homicide is too many," Gross said.
Moments before our one-on-one interview, Boston Police told us about the latest person to die after being shot Tuesday. It's the 22nd homicide shooting victim of 2019.
>>PREVIOUS: Commissioner Gross: Mental health support for police officers is vital
Gross said from 2014 to now 4,470 guns have been taken off of Boston streets.
Despite gun buybacks in Boston, and community outreach, Gross says it's too easy for crooks to transport guns.
"It’s state by state, I think we have a great grasp here in Mass., first and foremost we are not trying to take away from anyone's 2nd Amendment rights, but we are asking for a common sense approach," Gross said.
While Massachusetts is lauded for strict gun laws, background checks and vetting from local police departments, there is one area where Gross says we fall short: Sentencing guidelines.
"Right now it's a year, if it’s loaded, its 18 months," Gross said.
He said lawmakers should take action.
"Kids are laughing at a year's sentence, they can do that all day in a House of Correction 18 months, you do that all day, if we want to get serious about the most prevalent crime that's talked about that's gun violence," Gross said.
Gross said there are solid outreach services available for at-risk teens and their families.
For those he said can't be rehabilitated, longer sentences for illegal gun possession are a must.
>>PREVIOUS: Teenagers gunned down in Dorchester expected to survive