At the coalition's first summit, an initial group of 15 mayors met at Gracie Mansion in New York City to discuss strategies for stopping the flow of illegal guns into America's cities. Those mayors, along with every mayor who has since joined the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition, signed the following statement of principles.

Whereas: 30,000 Americans across the country are killed every year as a result of gun violence, destroying families and communities in big cities and small towns; and

Whereas: As Mayors, we are duty-bound to do everything in our power to protect our residents, especially our children, from harm and there is no greater threat to public safety than the threat of illegal guns;

Now, therefore, we resolve to work together to find innovative new ways to advance the following principles:

• Punish - to the maximum extent of the law - criminals who possess, use, and traffic in illegal guns.

• Target and hold accountable irresponsible gun dealers who break the law by knowingly selling guns to straw purchasers.

• Oppose all federal efforts to restrict cities' right to access, use, and share trace data that is so essential to effective enforcement, or to interfere with the ability of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to combat illegal gun trafficking.

• Work to develop and use technologies that aid in the detection and tracing of illegal guns.

• Support all local state and federal legislation that targets illegal guns; coordinate legislative, enforcement, and litigation strategies; and share information and best practices.

• Invite other cities to join us in this new national effort.