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Bloomberg: Arizona Tragedy Highlights Need To Stop Gun Violence

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A somber Mayor Michael Bloomberg addressed a Brooklyn church Sunday morning, speaking about Saturday's tragedy in Arizona and using the opportunity to reiterate his call against gun violence.

Bloomberg told the congregation at the Evangelical Crusade of Fishers of Men on East 31st Street that the shootings served as "terrible examples and a terrible reminder of the gun violence that happens every single day in our country."

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"We don't know all the facts in this case yet, but we do know that every single day, 34 Americans are murdered. Every single day. Yesterday it was Judge John Roll and five other Americans and many more across the 50 states. Tomorrow, there will be another 34," he said.

With a stepped up security detail around him, Bloomberg told the congregation he walked into the church "with a heavy heart" and said a prayer for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who remains in critical condition and in a medically induced coma after being shot in the head.

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WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs on the mayor's reaction to the Arizona tragedy

The mayor said he would continue his efforts to cut down on the gun violence in America, which he said would continue unless people "get serious" about the issue.

"It is an uphill struggle, but if all of us join it, if all of us speak out, I believe we really can make a difference and save lives," Bloomberg said.

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