Pro-gun control lawmakers are desperately searching for ways to keep the 2nd Amendment alive in the news and in Congress, but this isn’t the type of news they were looking for.  During an appearance at a townhall event this past weekend Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey announced that he had formally quit New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Morrissey had previously mentioned his intention to quit the anti-gun group during past interviews but didn’t confirm the decision until this Saturday, telling the audience that he was definitely out.

“I’ve dropped out of a group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns,” said Morrissey. “The reason why I joined the group in the first place is because I took the name for what it said. Against ‘illegal’ guns.”

The Rockford mayor pointed out that Bloomberg’s group focuses its resources on “assault weapons”, when in fact most of the crime is committed by handguns.  Morrissey initially had joined because he wanted to help take the guns away from criminals—but told reporters that the group is actively trying to ban legal guns and attack the rights of legal gun owners.

“The challenge that we see day in and day out in the city of Rockford is not dealing primarily with assault weapons or machine guns, automatic weapons,” he said. “It’s dealing with a typical handgun. All of those typical weapons are usually in the hands of people who are prohibited from having them.”

Morrissey said afterwards that he intends to get a concealed carry license as soon as the law is put in place.  After experiencing a few death threats the mayor acknowledged that the police can’t always be there to protect him, therefore he is in favor of everyone having the right to carry.

The news is a significant blow to Bloomberg’s group, who continues to lose more members each month. Over 70 members have resigned this year, not including an additional 15 who have been convicted of crimes ranging from corruption to assault.  But none of the previous mayors represented one of Illinois’ most dangerous cities.

Morrissey’s resignation suggests that Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns fails to offer a positive impact in high-crime rate cities, or any city for that matter.  The group plans to continue its heavily criticized bus tour, but may find it hard to seem credible when its former members continue to make statements like Morrissey’s.