Entire MA Delegation Supports Universal Gun Background Checks
Friday, March 29, 2013
Members pledged their support in honor of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition’s “National Day to Demand Action,” and proposed background checks as a “common sense” reform to help end gun violence.
"Opponents of gun controls often like to say that people kill people, not the guns. Then there should be no opposition whatsoever to checking whether people are responsible enough to own a gun,” said Rep. Ed Markey. “Along with universal background checks, we need a strong assault weapons ban and a prohibition against high capacity ammunition magazines.”
Markey added that action needs to be taken against “these military-style weapons” to keep them off the streets and to prevent deadly weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
Congressman Stephen Lynch agreed, saying, “Requiring background checks on all gun sales is just one part of a comprehensive, common sense approach to reducing gun violence.”
“Our nation has witnessed enough senseless violence. It is time for Congress to act. Together, we can help protect our children and keep our communities safer,” he said.
A recent poll by Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that in 41 key congressional districts across the nation, 89 percent of likely voters are in favor of requiring background checks for all gun sales in addition to 82 percent of gun owners – including 74 percent of National Rifle Association members who endorsed mandatory criminal background checks for anyone purchasing a gun.
Freshman senator, Elizabeth Warren said that measures like this will “help protect our kids and make our communities safer."
“We can reduce gun violence by requiring background checks, by banning assault weapons, and by collecting better data about gun deaths,” she said.
According to Mayors Against Illegal Guns, there are 6.6 million guns transferred in the U.S. every year with no background check for the buyer, but in the fourteen states that already require background checks for all handgun sales, gun trafficking is 48 percent lower, the rate of women murdered by an intimate partner with a gun was 38 percent lower and the firearm suicide rate was 49 percent lower than in other states.
Mass interim senator, Mo Cowan also spoke about the issue, saying, “It is our duty to put forward reforms that will protect our children and families from gun violence. I hope to have the opportunity during my short time in Washington to see Congress come together and unite behind smart gun safety measures that can save lives.”
“I have long supported universal background checks for gun purchases, and I’m pleased to see that the Senate has begun working on this critical issue,” said Rep. Jim McGovern. “I hope that the House will take up similar legislation during the 113th Congress to keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, the seriously mentally ill, and other dangerous people. Universal background checks are a vital component of comprehensive gun violence prevention efforts, and Congress must act now.”
Mayors Against Illegal Guns is a national, bipartisan coalition of mayors that was co-founded in 2006 by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. The coalition has grown from a committed group of 15 members to more than 900 mayors from 45 states, including Republicans, Democrats and Independents from major cities and small towns around the country.
Boston mayor, Thomas Menino said he applauds the delegation’s united stance on the issue.
“Never before have so many Americans come together to say ‘enough is enough’ and demand action from our leaders in Washington,” said Mayor Menino. “I am proud of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation. They stand united as leaders for background checks on all gun sales and have always answered the call for the safety of the residents of our neighborhoods.”
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