Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing criticism after claiming that most of the city’s gun violence stems from weapons trafficked from Republican-led states with looser gun laws. “The vast majority of guns do not come from Chicago,” he said. “For every gun the Chicago Police Department removes from the streets, two or three more come in.”

Johnson blamed federal inaction and the previous Trump administration for not addressing interstate firearm trafficking. “If we want to stop the bloodshed, we must stop the mass trafficking of weapons into our communities,” he added.

Chicago, despite having some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, continues to face persistent violence. A 2020 Chicago Police Department report confirmed that many guns recovered in crimes came from out of state, often from neighboring Indiana.

Critics argue that Johnson is overlooking deeper local issues such as gangs, poverty, and underfunded community programs. Some Republican lawmakers accused him of “deflecting responsibility for crime prevention.”

The mayor’s remarks have reignited debate over gun policy and accountability. Supporters demand stronger federal coordination, while opponents urge tougher local enforcement. With public safety central to the upcoming election, Johnson’s stance remains a polarizing issue in Chicago politics.