MAYORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS COALITION REACTS TO CONGRESSIONAL PASSAGE OF NICS BILL

Joint Statement from Coalition Co-Chairs New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino

"The tragic rampage at Virginia Tech exposed the terrible cost of failing to enforce the laws that prevent the mentally unstable from purchasing guns. Yesterday, Congress did the right thing and passed a common-sense bill that will help prevent guns from falling into the hands of thousands of people already barred from possessing them. The bill will help strengthen the integrity of the federal background check system, and it is an important first step toward achieving what hundreds of mayors around the country have been fighting for: basic law enforcement."