BILL CUMMINGS bcummings@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 01/04/2008 11:39:48 PM EST

BRIDGEPORT - Mayor Bill Finch has joined the national Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, an advocacy group started by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Finch joins 250 other mayors from 44 states - including six mayors in Connecticut - who have pledged to push for gun safety laws, crack down on illegal gun sales and back legislation that makes it easier to track guns.

The group does not oppose legal ownership of firearms and does not seek to take guns from sportsmen. The coalition, formed in 2006 by Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, takes a strong stand against gun crime.

"I welcome Mayor Finch," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Bill and I know that, as mayors, our highest priority is to enforce the law and keep our residents safe..."

"Gun control and safety have been a priority of mine since I began local government work," Finch said. "Gun safety and gun control are two very important issues that can't be ignored, and I'm hopeful organizations like Mayors Against Illegal Guns will help significantly cut down on gun trafficking in cities across the country," Finch said.

Bloomberg said the coalition understands that illegal guns and crime are intertwined.

"One of the toughest challenges we face is the threat of illegal guns. We all know that the issue of illegal guns is not about the Second Amendment, it's about enforcing the law and preventing guns from ending up in the hands of criminals," Bloomberg said.

Members of the coalition agree to punish gun crimes to the maximum extent possible, hold gun dealers accountable when they sell to straw purchasers and oppose federal efforts to restrict the right of cities to share data on guns.

Other goals include developing technologies that aid in the detection of illegal guns, supporting legislation that targets illegal guns and inviting other cities to join the national effort.