Another Attach On Law Abiding Gun Owners In his inaugural address Sunday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg vowed to campaign nationally for stiffer gun control laws, an effort he claims would stop criminals from using illegal guns. Critics, however, see the mayor’s comments as a preview to yet another attack on law-abiding businesses and gun owners. Bloomberg, who along with the city is suing the firearms industry, could help end gun crime by working with the firearms industry rather than against it, says NSSF senior vice president and general counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “The firearms industry has a long-standing commitment of cooperating with law enforcement to combat the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms. With respect to stopping the criminal misuse of firearms, we are confident that we would have common ground with the mayor. If he was serious about combating crime, he would drop his lawsuit and cooperate with the industry,” Keane said. Through a partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the firearms industry is combating illegal gun purchases through its Don't Lie for the Other Guy program, Keane said. The program will visit six states in 2006, kicking off on Jan. 26 with the U.S. Attorney and ATF and law enforcement officials.