Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said that police have seized more than 1,825 firearms to date in 2013.

At a news conference Monday, McCarthy displayed 20 examples of firearms recently seized by police and discussed recent gun recoveries in the city. But, like McCarthy has said at past news conferences like this, gun seizures are not enough to truly reduce gun violence in Chicago.

“Folks, I’m going to close by saying the same thing I say every week. It’s simple: There’s way too many guns on our streets. They get there because of the structure of our guns laws,” McCarthy said.

A new tax on gun sales in Cook County takes effect Monday.

$25 will now be added to every gun sale in the county.

That tax is aimed at curbing taxpayer expenses linked to gun violence, including health care for gunshot victims and jail, and court costs for criminals.

A group of firearms dealers and gun owners have filed a lawsuit to stop the collection of the tax.

They say it violates their constitutional rights to keep and bear arms.

The county expects the new tax to generate an additional $600,000 this year.

The Chicago Police Department is now combating gang crime by putting boots on the ground, as well as tires.

24 rookie police officers have begun patrolling some of the city’s worst gang-crime zones on foot; others will be added as the police academy turns out more graduates.

The first area to get the new foot patrols is the South Side Gresham District.

The patrolmen will be backed up by more experienced officers patrolling in their squad cars.

Just 3 percent of the city accounts for 20% of its violence; the neighborhoods that make up that 3 percent will get most of the foot patrols.

Today Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy announced another anti-crime initiative and will increase the number of foot patrols in the city.

More than a dozen uniformed officers, fresh out of the academy and fresh from training will hit the streets to fight crime the old fashioned way: on foot.

The initiative got underway tonight at 79^th and Cottage Grove.  Officers drove into the “hot zones” of one of the most talked about cities in the country. Chicago is trying to make gains when it comes to taking down gangs. Police superintendent Gary McCarthy thinks physically getting out of the squad cars and into the streets will make the difference.

For about a week now, young officers have traded in their patrol cars for their walking shoes. From 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. they will walk, interact and observe. Those are the hours when most gang violence erupts.

McCarthy is targeting 20 hot zones around the city. They make up only 3% of the city geographically but represent 20% of the crime in Chicago over the past 3 years, he says.

All officers just completed a 12 week field training.  More will be added with time as the next class of officers graduates.

The program is voluntary.

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy says that about 130 guns are seized by police every week in the city.

He said that about 1,500 guns have been seized so far in 2013.

The Chicago City Council has voted to expand the city’s gun offender registry.

The legislation, led by Ald. Ed Burke, passed late Wednesday morning.

It calls for an expansion of the city’s current gun registry.

Starting next month, any resident convicted of a violent crime with a gun would be required to register with Chicago police and check in with police every year for four years.

The policy would be similar to that of registered sex offenders.

Chicago’s City Council will decide Wednesday on expanding gun registry requirements.

Right now any resident convicted of unlawful use or possession of a firearm has to register with the police department.

A proposed amendment to that ordinance would add anyone convicted of committing a violent crime with a gun.

Offenders would also have to report, in person, to the police department every year of a four year registration period.

If the amendments passed, it goes into effect in April.

Funeral services were held today for a Roberto Clemente High School senior who was shot to death two weeks ago.

18-year-old Frances Colon was shot in the back while coming out of a store in the 1100 block of North Pulaski on February 15.

Through hugs and tears, the family of  Colon said their final goodbyes.

Colon and  her 16 year old sister Selena shared a room… shared their dreams… a bond, she says cannot be broken by her sudden death.

On February 15th, a single gunshot to the back killed Colon… An honor roll senior at Clemente High School.. As she left a store on north Pulaski.

34 year old Larry Luellen, Jr is charged in the murder.  Police believe Luellen fired the fatal shot during a drug dispute with someone else.  Colon was not the intended target.  Luellen is being held without bond in Cook County Jail.

Colon is the third Clemente high school student killed this school year.