MAIG Letter - Did your Mayor sign it?

[BCeagle 12]

I missed this sorry if a repost. I wont be supporting Barbiero in Parsippany because of his membership and it already takes 4-6 months for a handgun permit.

 

 

Below is a letter sent by Mayors Against Illegal Guns to President Barack Obama Dec. 19.

Dear President Obama,

On Friday, Dec. 14 the entire nation watched as parents stood outside the Sandy Hook Elementary School and waited, desperately hoping to be reunited with their children. That moment will never end for the families of the 20 children and six adults who were murdered that day at the school.

As mayors, we are charged with keeping our communities safe. But too many of us have sat with mothers and fathers of children killed with guns. Twenty-four children enrolled in public schools in your hometown of Chicago were shot to death just last year.

At the moving memorial service on Sunday evening, you said: “If there is even one step we can take to save another child or another parent or another town from the grief that has visited Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek and Newtown and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that — then surely we have an obligation to try.”

Our bipartisan coalition of more than 750 mayors has joined forces with over 700,000 Americans and more than 100 survivors of deadly shootings, including the mass shootings you mentioned in your remarks. Together, we urge you to put forward an agenda that is rooted in common sense and that will make it harder for dangerous people to possess guns, and easier for police and prosecutors to crack down on them. That agenda should:

• Require every gun buyer to pass a criminal background check. Background checks are the only systematic way to stop felons, domestic abusers and other dangerous people from buying firearms. These checks are instantaneous and highly effective. Since its inception, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has blocked firearms purchases at licensed dealerships by millions of individuals who are barred by federal law from owning them. But criminals and other prohibited purchasers avoid these checks by buying firearms, including online and at gun shows, from unlicensed “private sellers” who are not required by federal law to conduct the checks.Millions of gun sales — estimated at more than 40 percent of the U.S. annual total — are conducted through private sellers. The Fix Gun Checks Act (H.R.1781 / S.436) would close this enormous gap in our laws by requiring a criminal background check for every gun sale.
  
• Get high capacity rifles and ammunition magazines off our streets. Military-style weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines have no appropriate civilian or sporting function. They are designed to kill large numbers of people quickly. They are also disproportionately used to kill law enforcement officers. Approximately one out of five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty is killed with assault weapons. The time has come to review the federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 and draft a new law that is clear and enforceable and will take these weapons out of our communities.
  
• Make gun trafficking a federal crime. Today, there is no clear and effective statute making gun trafficking a crime. Prosecutors are instead forced to rely on a weak law prohibiting engaging in the business of selling guns without a federal license, which carries the same punishment as trafficking chicken or livestock. As a result, according to the Justice Department’s inspector general, U.S. attorneys decline to prosecute 25 percent of those cases while declining only nine percent of drug conspiracy cases. Mayors Against Illegal Guns supports proposals to empower law enforcement to investigate and prosecute straw purchasers, gun traffickers and their entire criminal networks.
  

Those ideas require action by Congress, but there are steps you and your Administration could and should take immediately to curb gun violence:

• Appoint an ATF director. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the federal agency responsible for enforcing our gun laws, has gone without a confirmed director for more than six years. During that time, criminals and those with serious mental illness have been able to take advantage of insufficient enforcement of existing federal gun laws, and an estimated 72,000 Americans have been murdered with guns. In 2011, for the first time in over a decade, more police officers were shot to death in the line of duty than were killed in automobile accidents. The need for leadership at the ATF has never been more urgent. The time has come for you to make a recess appointment to fill the vacancy at the top of the ATF.
  
• Prosecute prohibited purchasers who attempt to buy firearms, ammunition or high-capacity magazines. The Justice Department should vigorously prosecute felons and other prohibited purchasers who fail gun background checks. In 2009, the Federal Bureau of Investigation referred more than 71,000 such cases to ATF, but U.S. attorneys ultimately prosecuted only 77 of them. Prosecuting these offenders is a goal broadly supported by our coalition and the National Rifle Association. The department should also develop a mechanism for sharing NICS denial information with local and state law enforcement officials by sending them active alerts or, at a minimum, posting the information at the National Criminal Information Center so state and local law enforcement officials can access it during investigations.
  
• Require federal agencies to report records to NICS. The NICS Improvement Act of 2007 requires federal agencies to submit mental health, substance abuse and other records that prohibit a person from owning a gun to NICS. However, few agencies comply. In October 2011, the FBI provided data to MAIG on reporting by 60 federal agencies. Of those 60 agencies, 52 had given zero mental health records to NICS. Although total federal agency reporting of mental health records increased by 10 percent between March and October 2011, to 143,579, the vast majority of those records had been submitted by one agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs. Even fewer federal agencies are reporting drug abusers. Only three agencies — the FBI, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Court Services and Offenders Supervision Agency (CSOSA), the probation and parole services agency for the District of Columbia — have submitted any substance abuse records, and the vast majority of federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, have not submitted a single substance abuse record. The president should issue an executive order requiring all federal agency heads to certify twice annually, in writing, to the U.S. attorney general that their agency has submitted all relevant records to NICS.
  
• Repeal remaining Tiahrt restrictions. While Mayors Against Illegal Guns and our law enforcement allies have made progress in relaxing the “Tiahrt restrictions,” which are riders to the federal budget that restrict access to federal gun data, some still remain. These remaining restrictions keep the public, particularly researchers and elected officials, in the dark about gun traffickers — specifically, who they are and how they operate. It also requires the FBI to destroy records of approved NICS background checks within 24 hours. That makes it harder to detect law-breaking dealers who fake their records, or to identify straw buyers who undergo the checks on behalf of someone who couldn’t pass. The Tiahrt Amendments also say ATF can’t require dealers to inspect their inventory, which could reduce the tens of thousands of guns that go missing or are stolen each year. Finally, the police and other law enforcement agencies that get trace data can’t use it in license revocation proceedings or in civil litigation. The administration should repeal these restrictions in its next budget.
  

 

In the past few days, the American people came together in a national outpouring of grief and sympathy for the families of victims slain in the mass shooting in Newtown. We share in that grief. But our constituents are also outraged and looking for leadership from the White House. We look forward to working with you to find a solution to gun violence in our country.

Sincerely,

Coalition Co-Chairman Thomas M. Menino, mayor of Boston

Coalition Co-Chairman Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of New York City

 

The mayors who also signed the letter were:

 

New Jersey ~

Mayor Ed Johnson, Asbury Park, Mayor Lorenzo T. Langford, Atlantic City, Mayor Mark Smith, Bayonne, Mayor Patrick H. McHale, Bogota, Mayor Albert B. Kelly, Bridgeton, Mayor Dana L. Redd, Camden, Mayor Chuck Cahn, Cherry Hill, Mayor Sophie Heymann, Closter, Mayor M. James Maley, Jr., Collingswood, Mayor Carol Foster, Corbin City, Mayor Joseph R. Smith, East Newark, Mayor Robert L. Bowser, East Orange, Mayor Antonia Ricigliano, Edison, Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Elizabeth, Mayor Carlos Colina, Emerson, Mayor Colleen Mahr, Fanwood, Mayor Gerald R. Drasheff, Guttenberg, Mayor Maria DiGiovanni, Hackettstown, Mayor Domenick Stampone, Haledon, Mayor Raymond J. McDonough, Harrison, Mayor Richard S. Goldberg, Hawthorne,Mayor David L. Tinker, Hazlet, Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Hoboken, Mayor Timothy McDonough, Hope, Mayor Paul Anzano, Hopewell, Mayor Robert M. Giordano, Independence, Mayor Wayne Smith, Irvington, Mayor Jerramiah Healy, Jersey City, Mayor David M. DelVecchio, Lambertville, Mayor Richard J. Gerbounka, Linden, Mayor Mauro D. Raguseo, Little Ferry, Mayor Stephen Santola, Livingston, Mayor Frank W. Minor, Logan Township, Mayor Nicholas Russo, Longport, Mayor Michael E. Beck, Lower Township, Mayor William Laforet, Mahwah, Mayor Michael Fressola, Manchester Township, Mayor Victor DeLuca, Maplewood, Mayor Frank M. North, Merchantville, Mayor Patrick O'Hagan, Midland Park, Mayor James A. Gallos, Milford, Mayor Dennis Vaccaro, Moonachie, Mayor J. Randy Bishop, Neptune, Mayor Cory Booker, Newark, Mayor Peter C. Massa, North Arlington, Mayor Francis M. Womack III, N. Brunswick, Mayor Randy George, North Haledon, Mayor Owen Henry, Old Bridge, Mayor James R. Barberio, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Mayor Alex D. Blanco, Passaic, Mayor Jeffrey Jones, Paterson, Mayor Wilda Diaz, Perth Amboy, Mayor Harry L. Wyant, Phillipsburg, Mayor Sharon M. Robinson-Briggs, Plainfield, Mayor Jesse L. Tweedle Sr., Pleasantville, Mayor Gary Giberson, Port Republic, Mayor Pasquale Menna, Red Bank, Mayor Sandy Moscaritolo, River Edge,Mayor Jamel C. Holley, Roselle, Mayor Robert L. Davis, Salem, Mayor Brian P. Stack, Union City, Mayor Betty Simmons, Victory Gardens, Mayor Robert Romano, Vineland, Mayor Robert D. Parisi, West Orange, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, West Windsor, Mayor John E. McCormac, Woodbridge, and Mayor Keith Kazmark, Woodland Park.

[areacode201 4]

Mine signed. I wonder if it's worth my time contacting him though, he doesn't really influence any state/federal legislation.

[hd2000fxdl 422]

From the looks of it, NOPE..

[scatterbrains 0]

Nope, and if your mayor did sign it absoloutly contact them. Leave no stone unturned.

[cutterOne 0]

Wow, my mayor didn't sign it. I'm shocked!!!

[Zeke 5,504]

Nope

[9X19 125]

nope

[bhunted 887]

Mine did... He wonders why I didn't vote for him... Blah!

 

 

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[BleedingOrange36 0]

My ex-mayor signed it....... That's weird considering a good friend of mine, someone that ran with him is extremely pro-gun..... Can't wait to show me new additions to his collection every time I'm there. I guess it really doesn't matter what you believe in..... If it might get you votes.... Just do it!! That mentality has to go!

[Duppie 73]

Mine didn't but I still wouldn't vote for the thieving crook.

[plode 0]

Nope.

[TheLugNutZ 21]

howell. didnt sign

[Ray Ray 3,566]

Bayonne did

[bhunted 887]

I can almost bet ya that a lot of them signed it because it was just pushed in front of them and didn't even read it.

 

 

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[MedicYeti 96]

my mayor did not sign it. I sent a "thank you" email.

[BCeagle 12]

I can almost bet ya that a lot of them signed it because it was just pushed in front of them and didn't even read it.

 

 

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No excuse.

[bhunted 887]

You are correct. Just trying to show the ignorance of people and lack of caring to take the time to read it.

 

 

 

No excuse.

 

 

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[hd2000fxdl 422]

Contacted my mayor to let him know I was glad to see he was not on the list of supporters.

 

 

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[NJScott 15]

Of course my mayor signed it: he's the head of the Hudson County Democrat Organization, so he's in lock-step with every other northern NJ politician on his side of the aisle. It is a shame no one can think for themselves these days.

 

I fully expect him and our COP to start throwing some more impediments in our way re: FID's and P2P seekers. After all, they have to "make a statement" while the iron is hot.

 

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[BlueLineFish 615]

My understanding is that out new chief is very pro 2a.

[Ray Ray 3,566]

My understanding is that out new chief is very pro 2a.

 

as was i

[BlueLineFish 615]

Hell,im against illegal guns. our definitions are different. They just think that all guns should be illegal.

[Recon Racoon 49]

My understanding is that out new chief is very pro 2a.

 

I haven't talked to the local Chief, but the LT that handled my reissue FID is Pro 2A and a stand up guy. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.

 

As far as I can tell my Mayor hasn't signed it. But then again, to get anything moving around here is a friggin' miracle.

[reduck 0]

Jackson nope. Probably due to one of the largest ranges (cjrpc) in the state being in his jurisdiction. I'll still email and thank him.

(seems quiet back there these days. Guess a lot of people are sitting on their ammo. Normally I hear big bore fire daily. Not so much the past week or so)

[IronPriest 2]

"They are also disproportionately used to kill law enforcement officers. Approximately one out of five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty is killed with assault weapons." 1/5 is now considered disproportionate? Not to mention the loose definition of "assault weapons"...

 

I'm disappointed but not surprised to see my mayor on there: McCormac of Woodbridge.

[NicePants 58]

My mayor is on there, that crook bastard.

[NJScott 15]

 

as was i

 

He's also the guy who serves at the pleasure of the mayor. He also has to answer to our dual office holder, Jason O 'Donnell, who is both our public safety director and state assemblyman.

 

I don't care what his personal feelings may be on gun rights because he won't be bucking these two anti's any time soon.

 

 

 

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[ChrisJM981 924]

I'd like to see where they get those...let me rephrase that...how they cook up their statistics. My mayor did not sign, but the chief is extremely anti-2A. That list may explain why some people have to wait 6-9 months for a FPID and/or pistol permits. I'm glad that list is out. It gives me a comprehensive list of municipalities to not look at while house hunting.

[NicePants 58]

I'd like to see where they get those...let me rephrase that...how they cook up their statistics. My mayor did not sign, but the chief is extremely anti-2A. That list may explain why some people have to wait 6-9 months for a FPID and/or pistol permits. I'm glad that list is out. It gives me a comprehensive list of municipalities to not look at while house hunting.

 

The easy way to avoid that is not to house hunt in NJ, NY, or Massachusetts.

[checko 180]

No Hillsborough on that list. Don't know others experiences are but I haven't gotten the anti gun feel in my town.