Check out the press release below:
Philadelphia, January 24, 2013 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter spoke at a press conference held by Senator Dianne Feinstein in Washington, D.C., regarding the introduction of a bill in the United States Senate to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. His prepared remarks follow, check against delivery:
"Thank you Senator Feinstein. Again and again and again, Americans have been stunned by senseless acts of violence involving assault weapons and large-capacity magazines: Columbine (April 1999, 13 murdered), Virginia Tech (April 2007, 32 murdered), Tucson (January 2011, 6 murdered, 12 wounded including one Congresswoman), Aurora (July 2012, 12 murdered), Oak Creek (August 2012, 6 murdered).
"The December 14 tragedy which killed 20 young children and six educators in Newtown remains incomprehensible to us all. Too many times during the last year, mayors have expressed shock at a mass shooting. Even more frequently, many of us must cope with the gun violence that occurs on the streets of our cities.
" 'Weapons of mass destruction' are destroying our communities, our streets and our families. The first police officer we lost after I became mayor was killed by an AK-47. Citizens have been killed on Philadelphia's streets by handguns with high capacity magazines as well as assault rifles. This needs to end NOW!
"Every day in America, 282 people are shot and 86 of them die, including 32 who are murdered. Every day 50 children and teens are shot and eight of them die, including five who are murdered. This must STOP!
"The legislation which Senator Feinstein and others are introducing this morning will help to make that happen. I am here to register the strong support of The U.S. Conference of Mayors for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 and to commit our organization to doing everything possible to see it enacted into law.
"I have with me this morning a letter originally sent just three days after the Newtown tragedy occurred and now signed by 210 mayors which calls on the President and Congress to take immediate action and make reasonable changes in our gun laws and regulations. Listed first among our recommended changes is enactment of the legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines being prepared by Senator Dianne Feinstein and others. When she discussed this bill and her commitment to passing it at the Conference's Winter Meeting last week, Senator Feinstein described herself as 'a former mayor on a mission'. Senator Feinstein, you have an army of current mayors on a mission standing with you, ready to do what it takes to see this legislation become law."
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