Politics & Government

Mayors Urge National Action Against Gun Violence

Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson said he will place the letter on the next City Council agenda for consideration.

A letter signed by 750 mayors in the nation — including dozens from California — is making the civic rounds, calling on Congress and the White House to take action to end gun violence in the country.

Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson said he would have the letter placed on next City Council agenda for consideration. The next scheduled City Council meeting is on Monday, Jan. 14.

The letter was written by the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns and was sent to President Obama this week in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting last week.

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While the mayors are concentrating on gun control ideas, National Rifle Association President Wayne LaPierre on Friday called for schools to implement security based on "properly trained, armed 'good guys'."

In the mayors' letter, the group advocates that the White House and Congress to require all gun owners to pass a criminal background check, remove high-capacity weapons from the streets and make gun trafficking a federal crime.

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It also urges the president to appoint an Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms director and prosecute people who try to purchase firearms when they know they aren't eligible to do so.

You can read the entire letter here.

Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Silva said she wants to discuss the letter with her fellow council members as well as the police department before signing it.

This story originated on Walnut Creek Patch.


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