Today, on behalf of the nation’s mayors and the police chiefs of major cities across America, the Presidents of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Major Cities Chiefs Association sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) calling on them to consider needed legislation that would establish a stronger system of background checks covering all firearms purchases.
“Our communities cannot afford to wait any longer for the federal government to address the epidemic of gun violence. We know that bipartisan, sensible gun safety legislation will make our cities safer without compromising gun owners’ rights. That is why we are calling upon Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer to consider legislation that would ensure all firearms purchases go through our background check system,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Bryan Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills (MI).
“Police chiefs and mayors are on the frontlines of communities affected by gun violence, and we know that our communities can’t wait any longer for action. Americans overwhelmingly support commonsense background check legislation that will reduce gun violence and the slaughter of innocent people. The time to act is now, and the nation’s police chiefs and mayors stand ready to work with members of Congress to get it done,” said Major Cities Chiefs Association President Art Acevedo, Houston Police Department Chief.
For more than five decades, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has advocated for policies to combat gun violence, consistent with its support of the Second Amendment. At its 87th Annual Conference, mayors passed a series of resolutions to address this crisis. The Major Cities Chiefs Association has been a strong advocate for sensible gun policy for many years.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
