CHICAGO, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Friday that local police have recovered over 5,000 illegal guns so far in 2018.

In a joint press conference with Chicago police chief Eddie Johnson, the mayor commended local officers for "doing the difficult and dangerous work of taking more than 5,000 illegal guns off the streets."

"Every illegal gun recovered means fewer potential senseless shootings, fewer tragedies and less gun violence in our city," said Emanuel.

Official data showed that police have taken some 5,170 illegal guns off streets, that's about one illegal gun seized every hour of the day, and it's more than the New York and Los Angeles combined.

Gun-related violence has been a big headache for the third biggest city in the United States. More than 1,500 people have been shot so far this year, though the situation is improving.

According to Chicago police, 2,377 individuals have been arrested on gun-related charges this year. The vast majority of guns recovered in Chicago are semi-automatic handguns. Some 163 assault-style weapons have also been recovered, including AK-47 and AR-15 rifles.