Second Amendment supporters say strict gun control has made Chicago the most murderous city in the nation for the year just ended.

"Chicago finished off the year with more murders than New York or Los Angeles," said Second Amendment Foundation founder Alan Gottlieb. "During the past 12 months, 599 people were murdered in Chicago, three more than in New York, where 596 people were slain, and about 100 more than in Los Angeles."

Gottlieb called it "remarkable" that Chicago, New York and Los Angeles have some of the nation's strictest gun laws, but even so, they still lead the nation when it comes to the number of homicides.

Gottlieb, in a press release, noted that Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has made his "anti-gun philosophy" a cornerstone of his administration, to the detriment of the city.

He compared the situation in Chicago to that in Detroit, where the once-high murder rate has dropped to its lowest level in years.

"Two years ago," Gottlieb noted, "Michigan reformed its concealed carry law, and today, thousands of law-abiding citizens in Michigan are legally armed. Gosh, do you suppose there is any correlation?"

Mayor Daley should publicly admit that gun control in his city has been an absolute failure, Gottlieb said.

Chicago police announced last week that the city ended the year 599 homicides, down from 648 a year earlier and 665 in 2001. It's the first time since 1967 that the total has dropped below 600, the police department said.

Chicago police superintendent Philip Cline blamed the city's murder problem on gangs, guns and drugs.

The Second Amendment Foundation says it is dedicated to "the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms," and it actively works to inform the public about the consequences of gun control.