By Mike Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is saddened by the Colorado theater massacre and says it’s about time the country cracks down on guns.

Mayor Nutter began his war on illegal guns immediately after he took office and has continued that fight ever since, even taking on the National Rifle Association in Washington.

“Eighty-five percent of homicides in Philadelphia are committed with a gun — virtually all of which are illegal. So that is the weapon of choice. An enormous amount of fire power out on our streets.”

He says there is no good reason why any regular citizen needs an assault rifle and he hopes Pennsylvanians will ask their local and federal lawmakers to pass stricter gun laws.