CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says it’s time for Illinois and the nation to ban assault weapons in the wake of the deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

Emanuel spoke Monday at the graduation and promotion ceremony for city police officers.

He noted that the city bans assault weapons. He says he hopes leadership in Congress “would now have a vote of conscience.”

Emanuel is President Barack Obama’s former chief of staff and an avid gun-control proponent. He worked for President Bill Clinton when the former president signed an assault weapons ban.

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy agreed with Emanuel and says large ammunition clips also should be banned.

Otherwise, he says, “you’re only putting a Band-Aid” on the problem.

Friday’s shooting claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 children.

© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.