"We just can't keep going on this way," Bloomberg said in Detroit at CityLab, an event put on with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Bloomberg, who was elected mayor as a Republican and as an independent, has been openly flirting with a Democratic presidential bid and has increasingly tied his public profile to gun control, which has taken a back seat in the public debate since the Pittsburgh shooting to questions about the role of social media in fostering extremist views.
The former New York mayor recently re-registered as a Democrat and has become an open antagonist of President Donald Trump heading into the midterms. The billionaire has pumped $110 million into efforts to support Democratic candidates around the country ahead of the midterms.
Bloomberg said he was in Pittsburgh two weeks ago and met with the mayor and community groups, including Moms Against Guns.
"It was really quite amazing, the enthusiasm they had and how they were so convinced that we were making progress -- and we are," Bloomberg said. "But then we know that 11 people were killed a few days ago, six were injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue, and our hearts really have to go out to all of them."
In voicing support for stronger gun measures, Bloomberg said, "Nobody's trying to take away anybody's guns."
"We should have reasonable background checks," Bloomberg added. "And don't sell guns to minors. Don't sell guns to people with psychiatric problems. Don't sell guns to people that have criminal records."
Bloomberg said he thought local and state governments have had to step in on the issue "because the federal government is just hopeless."
His comments on Monday came after Trump said shortly after the shooting that there should have been an armed guard in the synagogue. Trump has likewise suggested arming teachers following school shootings, a position embraced by the National Rifle Association.
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