New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly announced on Aug. 19 that an operation seized more than 250 illegal guns -- the largest number in the city's history. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Most Virginians think New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg should keep his comments to himself, according to a new poll.

Bloomberg, one of the nation's most outspoken (and wealthiest) advocates for gun control, last month cited Virginia as a leading source of crime guns in New York. In 2011, 90 percent of the 2,433 traceable guns used in New York City crimes came from outside of New York State, Bloomberg and city officials said.

A minor, Virginia-vs.-New-York-City spat ensued.

Republican Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's office responded by claiming lower crime rates in Virginia than in New York City, the New York Daily News reported.

"We wish the mayor well as he attempts to address these issues within his home state and we hope he won't hesitate to call on us if our law enforcement agencies can be of assistance in ensuring public safety in New York City," McDonnell spokeswoman Taylor Kenney told NYDN's Dan Friedman.

Most Virginian respondents told Quinnipiac University that Bloomberg should stay out of their state's issues.

According to Quinnipiac's Aug. 14-19 poll of Virginians, 52 percent said "Mayor Bloomberg should not get involved in Virginia issues," while 43 percent said "the Virginia legislature should try to address this issue," when given the choice of which more closely reflected their views.

Unsurprisingly, most Democrats (67 percent) sided with Bloomberg, while most GOP respondents (74 percent) sided against him.