7 dead in shootings across Puerto Rico

Seven people were killed in shootings across Puerto Rico on Saturday, prompting the U.S. territory's police chief to plead for tougher gun laws.

The violence included a drive-by shooting of a minivan outside a fast-food restaurant in a San Juan suburb. Two men, ages 18 and 24, were killed and two people were injured, police said. The other shootings were reported in several towns around Puerto Rico, marring the Caribbean island's Three Kings Day celebrations.

At a news conference, police chief Pedro Toledo urged the approval of pending legislation that would make it more difficult for islanders to import weapons from the U.S. mainland. Gun makers have opposed the restrictions.

"Our biggest concern is the amount of weapons and ammunition on the streets," Toledo said.

The U.S. territory of 3.9 million people averaged just more than two homicides a day last year. The 739 slayings marked a slight decrease from 2005. In most cases, the murders were linked to the drug trade, according to police.