Before a New Year's morning prayer breakfast, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton said the city is attacking the illegal gun problem on multiple fronts.

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The city is cracking down on how easy guns fall in the hands of wrong people.

"If you look at what's happening here it's the easy access to guns," the mayor said. "Anybody can get a gun - 15-16 year-old - anybody in this town who wants a gun can get a gun and use it for illegal purposes. I say over and over again, it has nothing to do with folks who have a permit to carry or if you have a weapon in your home. But the folks who want guns on streets to be used for illegal purposes there will be a white hot intense focus on those."

The mayor did not say how the "easy gun access" problem will be attacked but he said more information will be forthcoming.