Legislators from Six States Announce Launch of New National Coalition: State Legislators Against Illegal Guns

Jacksonville, Florida - Six state legislators from around the country today announced a new coalition of State Legislators Against Illegal Guns while attending a regional conference of the companion group Mayors Against Illegal Guns. At the conference, hosted by Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, the six founding members of the new group pledged to enlist their colleagues in state legislatures across the country in an effort to identify common sense policies that will help to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. The lawmakers represent suburban, rural and urban districts from around the country, united by a commitment to public safety that extends beyond political and regional boundaries. The state legislators were joined by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and mayors and law enforcement officials from more than 20 Florida cities. The founding members of State Legislators Against Illegal Guns are New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D); Florida State Representative Evan Jenne (D); Kansas State Representative Thomas C. "Tim" Owens (R); Nebraska State Senator Brad Ashford (R); Pennsylvania State Representative Cherelle L. Parker (D) and Illinois Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R).

"As state legislators we have a common responsibility for public safety," said Senator Schneiderman. "We also share an understanding that if we move beyond the usual polarizing rhetoric about guns, there are many effective and common sense strategies we can implement at the state level, or with our city and federal partners, to stop criminals from obtaining illegal guns. Only 1 percent of gun dealers sell more than half the guns that are used in crimes. More effective sharing of guns trace data across jurisdictions, stricter record keeping standards for gun dealers, and tougher enforcement of existing laws against selling to straw purchasers can all help to root out and punish gun dealers that supply deadly weapons to criminals."

"In Florida, current law is not effective in removing illegally obtained guns from our streets," Representative Jenne said. "I believe that all fifty states must provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to keep the public safe. This coalition provides an opportunity to share information across jurisdictional and partisan lines to reduce the availability of illegal firearms."

Like Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the new coalition of state legislators recognizes that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for the diverse districts that its members represent. Instead, the coalition will work to share ideas and enact common sense measures to stem the flow of illegal guns. The coalition is organized around a shared Statement of Principles (available below) focused on addressing the problem of illegal guns in the hands of criminals.

"I am proud to be a founding member of State Legislators Against Illegal Guns, a group that I hope will add to the national, bipartisan discussion on our nation's gun violence crisis that was started by Mayors Against Illegal Guns," said Senator Ashford. "Policy makers in state houses now have a venue to share their experiences and develop innovative approaches to reducing the destruction brought about by those with illegal firearms." 

"Violent crime and the use of illegal guns is a growing problem that government needs to address, and the passing so-called 'concealed carry laws' isn't enough," said Representative Owens. "Instead, we should be going after the criminals and the gun traffickers that arm them. We need stiffer penalties in our criminal justice system to deter violent crime and the use of illegal guns so we can protect our citizens who only want to live in safety, educate their children, and fulfill the American dream." 

"I am honored to join with my colleagues who are leading the fight to enact common sense measures to reduce violent crimes due to guns," said Representative Coulson. "We share a common interest in protecting our communities from gun violence. We know there are ways to do this, and have succeeded in passing laws in our respective states - but there is much that we can learn from each others experience. I look forward to working with members of the coalition as we strive to achieve this goal."

"Pennsylvanians have a long proud history of supporting sportsmen," said Representative Parker. "But criminals armed with illegally obtained guns, especially handguns, are not sportsmen. They are predators who destroy any sense of safety and security in our communities. I am proud to partner with my colleagues around the country in this fight for common sense policies that will help our police officers get illegal weapons off of our streets."

At today's regional conference of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the state legislators discussed gaps that exist in federal and state gun law as well as how laws differ in their respective states. The founders of State Legislators Against Illegal Guns thanked the co-chairs of the companion group Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Founded in April 2006, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has nearly 300 members in more than 40 states.

Contact:
Johnna A. Pro (Rep. Parker)  717-783-8024
Kayla Gomez (Rep. Jenne)    954-321-2760
Mike Meade (Sen. Schneiderman)   646-522-8601 (m); 212-928-5578
Representative Thomas C. "Tim" Owens 785-296-7685
Representative Elizabeth Coulson  847-724-3233
Andrew Hollingsead (Sen. Ashford) 402-471-2622

STATE LEGISLATORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS

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 our states; and

Whereas: As state legislators, we are duty-bound to do everything in our power to protect our residents, especially our children, from harm and illegal guns represent a serious threat to public safety;

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

• Target and hold accountable irresponsible gun dealers who break state and federal laws, including those who sell guns to straw purchasers. Promote measures that responsible gun retailers can adopt to minimize the risk of guns ending up in the hands of criminals.
  
  
• Oppose all federal efforts to restrict cities', counties', and states' 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, Firearms and Explosives to combat illegal gun trafficking.
  
  
• Support common-sense legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of criminals, including terrorists. Ensure that all gun sales involve background checks that access all the available information about persons prohibited under state and federal law from buying guns, such as those with mental illness.
  
  
• Work to develop and use technologies that aid in the detection and apprehension of illegal gun criminals and traffickers, including efforts to share regional information.
  
  
• Pursue local, state, and federal legislation that targets illegal guns; coordinate criminal, administrative, and civil enforcement, and share information and best practices.
  
  
• Punish - to the maximum extent of the law - criminals who possess, use, and traffic in illegal guns.
  
  
• Invite other state legislators to join us in this new national effort.