Residents call for gun control law after latest crimes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents say they want their city to become safer after there was a triple-shooting down her street Wednesday, and an unrelated drive-by and SWAT standoff just a few blocks away.

Northside resident Mary Gettis is all too familiar with this type of thing. She's ready for that to change.

"It's bad, it's bad. There's too much of this going on and it's not getting any better," said Gettis. "It's worse day-by-day."

Gettis is one of the many people living in an area where crime is common. Wednesday night, Gettis said there was a triple-shooting down her street. A few hours later, there was an unrelated drive-by and SWAT standoff just a few blocks away.

Gettis and Mad Dad's president Donald Foy said it has become a plague to their neighborhood.

"It's just totally out of control," said Foy. "It's not safe any place. No part of town anywhere."

Whether it's in Northside, Newtown, Conn., or Aurora, Colo., Foy said something has to be done about the violence. That's why he would like the community to come together and fight it and seconds the pressure for more national gun control.

"I'm all for a person being able to protect their family, but we got to target automatic weapons," said Foy.

When it comes to Jacksonville's crime, Sheriff John Rutherford hasn't made a comment yet on gun control. Instead, Rutherford said it is the city's "young thugs" who are causing the violence.

The three men shot were in their 20s and police said they were targeted. Whatever the answer may be, whether it's a change in gun control or a change in neighborhoods, Gettis said she just wants her community to be safer.

"Bright, open, daytime. The devil is busy twenty-four seven," said Gettis. "You just have to be careful."