News nailed story: Mayor

NEW YORK’S hometown paper is doing an “extraordinary” job covering the gun crisis that’s led to a tragic level of mass shootings across the nation, Mayor de Blasio said Friday.

De Blasio, in an interview on WNYC, in particular lauded the Daily News’ Friday front page.

“I think the Daily News did an extraordinary thing today, and I commend them,” he said on the Brian Lehrer Show.

“It’s a very blunt front page, but it made the point that right now there are people on the terrorist watch list all over this country that can walk into a Walmart or anywhere else and get a gun.”

The News has also correctly pointed out that the NRA is “aiding and abetting the ability of anyone to get a gun, including people on the terrorist watch list,” de Blasio said. He added, “This is unbelievable stuff.”

De Blasio also called on all the city’s pension funds to divest from gun companies. “This is where we can make a real difference,” de Blasio said on the show. “I understand the NRA’s power. I understand we have a long way to go on the legislative front, so let’s fight back with a different tool.” Two of the city’s five pension funds have already stopped investing in gun manufacturers. The mayor also visited the Jamaica Muslim Center in Queens Friday night to speak with Muslims about their role in the community.