HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-2013 Mayor Buttigieg Joins Mayors Against Illegal Guns SOU T11 8F
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CITY OF SOUTH BEND
PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2013
Contact: Mike Schmuhl
Phone: 574-235-9261
MAYOR BUTTIGIEG JOINS NATIONAL BIPARTISAN COALITION OF MAYORS
COMMITTED TO ENDING GUN VIOLENCE ACROSS AMERICA
Mayor Joins Group As White House Unveils Gun Control Proposals
SOUTH BEND -- In an effort to combat the senseless gun violence that claims 34 American
lives every day, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has joined Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the national
bipartisan coalition of more than 800 mayors. These leaders are committed to protecting their
communities by keeping illegal guns and military style weapons off their streets and out of their
schools.
Since its inception in April 2006,Mayors Against Illegal Guns has grown from 15 mayors to
more than 800 from across the country. The coalition also has more than 700,000 grassroots
supporters,making it the largest gun violence prevention advocacy organization in the country.
Its co-chairs are New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas M.
Menino.
Members include Democrats, Republicans, and Independents in big cities and small towns alike,
from a variety of states across the nation. While their backgrounds may differ, on this issue they
stand together and speak with one voice —united for the sake of our public safety. They
understand that support for Second Amendment rights goes hand-in-hand with the kind of
common-sense gun policies that carry broad public support—including among gun owners.
"Like many communities across the United States, South Bend has witnessed senseless acts of
violence in our neighborhoods involving illegally obtained guns," said Mayor Buttigieg. "In
joining this group, South Bend is joining hundreds of cities across America to provide better
safeguards for our communities and children."
1400 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING•227 W.JEFFERSON BOULEVARD•SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601
PHONE 574/235-9261 • FAx 574/235-9892 • TTD 574/235-5567
During the President's neat four years in office, 48,000 men, women, and children will fall
victim to gun murder. Mayor Buttigieg and his fellow coalition members are simply not willing
to stand idly by. They have called on Washington to take meaningful action to address the issue
of gun violence in America, and they will continue to do so until progress is made. This includes:
• Requiring every gun buyer to pass a criminal background check.
• Getting military-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines off our streets.
• Making gun trafficking a federal crime.
In the wake of the horrific mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., the members of the coalition sent a
letter to the White House and to Congress outlining these three concrete proposals. The letter is
attached and also available HERE.
The Mayor also urged colleagues, constituents and violence prevention advocates to sign the
petition at DemandAPlan.org, where the coalition has also launched an online video campaign
featuring testimonials from gun violence survivors and family members of victims.