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Everytown for Gun Safety Applauds Bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors for Passing Resolutions on Gun Safety Policies

6.13.2018

U.S. Conference Of Mayors Voted to Formally Support Comprehensive Background Checks and Red Flag Laws; Also Voted to “Ban the Sale of Bump Stocks and Related Devices and Prevent the Arming of Teachers in Schools” During Annual Conference In Boston

The Bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors Also Reaffirmed Its Opposition to “Concealed Carry Reciprocity” and Voted to Oppose Rolling Back Long-Standing Silencer Safety Laws

NEW YORK – Everytown for Gun Safety today released the following statement as the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors passed resolutions to formally support the enactment of proactive federal gun safety laws including: criminal background checks on all gun sales; Red Flag Laws that would empower families and law enforcement to seek an extreme risk protection order to temporarily block a person from having guns if he or she poses a serious danger to self or others; and legislation prohibiting the sale of bump stocks and related devices. The bipartisan group of mayors also voted to oppose arming teachers in schools.

These policies are all widely supported, yet Congress has refused to act. Ninety-seven percent of voters support legislation to require criminal background checks on every gun sale. Twenty states and the District of Columbia have gone beyond federal law, passing laws to require background checks for all handgun sales, including guns sold by unlicensed sellers; fourteen of those states and D.C. also cover rifle and shotgun sales.

Four states have passed Red Flag legislation since the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, and eight states have prohibited bump stocks since the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The two largest organizations of education professionals—the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association — have joined together to oppose arming teachers.

STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:

“Mayors are on the frontlines of America’s gun violence crisis, so it’s no surprise they’re also leading the charge to pass common-sense, life-saving laws. It’s time for our leaders in Washington to follow the lead of America’s mayors and put public safety over NRA priorities.”

STATEMENT FROM GARY, INDIANA MAYOR AND U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS’ CRIMINAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE CHAIR KAREN FREEMAN-WILSON:

“Policies like background checks on all gun sales and Red Flag Laws save lives. It’s as simple as that. The gun violence that we see everyday in our cities rips families and communities apart. The U.S. Conference of Mayors will continue doing everything in our power to keep our communities safe so that children and families are able to live free of the fear of being gunned down.”

STATEMENT FROM ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI MAYOR LYDA KREWSON:

“We wouldn’t be doing our jobs as mayors if we weren’t focusing on gun violence — an issue that threatens the public safety of every community, big and small. Our bipartisan network of mayors knows how to work together and compromise on policies that save lives. If only our partners in Congress did the same. Until they act, mayors will continue to lead the way in solving our gun violence crisis.”