By Ed Somers
February 12, 2007

More than 50 members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns met in Washington (DC) for the coalition’s 2007 National Summit January 23.

The Summit, held on the eve of the Conference of Mayors 75th Winter Meeting, was led by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer actively participated in the Summit, and helped sign up members during the Conference’s Winter Meeting. The coalition has now grown to 154 mayors.

Commenting on the effort, Bloomberg said, “The fact is, respecting the rights of gun owners while cracking down on illegal guns are completely compatible goals - and we are committed to both.” “Illegal gun violence is an epidemic sweeping across this country, causing senseless tragedy every day,” added Menino.

The mayors met with members of Congress to discuss ways to correct recent federal restrictions, known as the “Tiahrt Amendment,” on the use of federal gun trace data, which have seriously hampered law enforcement efforts to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. At the conclusion of the meeting, the assembled members signed an Open Letter to Congress calling on them to lift those restrictions.

It was announced at the Summit that four leading members of the U.S. House of Representatives have formed a bi-partisan House Task Force on Illegal Guns, which will help mayors and law enforcement officials make their voices heard on capitol hill. The task force will be co-chaired by Representatives Charles B. Rangel (NY), John Conyers, Jr. (MI), Peter T. King (NY), and Mark S. Kirk (IL).

The task force will work to ensure that cities have the tools and resources they need to keep their citizens safe, and to support eliminating federal restrictions on access to, and use of, gun “trace data.” In addition, the task force will work to ensure that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has the resources and flexibility it needs to carry out its mission effectively.

The mayors also heard a presentation from Ray Schoenke, President of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), who said, “The American Hunters and Shooters Association believes hunters and shooters can join together with federal, state and local policy makers to address the problem of urban gun crime without compromising away our rights.”

The mayors also heard the results of a new, bipartisan national poll that showed that 82 percent of Americans favor either tougher enforcement of existing laws or tough new laws — while only 14 percent of Americans think that we have too many gun laws and that some should be repealed. Further, Americans oppose restrictions on gun trace data that prevent police departments from sharing information and cities from using that information to hold gun dealers accountable for following the law.

In addition, the summit was an opportunity for mayors to share information about effective local legislation and enforcement strategies.