Menino, NYC’s Bloomberg: Get Rid Of Gun Loopholes Now

By WBUR News & Wire Services December 14, 2012

BOSTON — Following the mass shooting at a school in Newtown, Conn., Friday, the mayors of New York and Boston are speaking out on behalf of an anti-gun violence group.

Select Newtown, Conn., Coverage:

Cheryl Girardi, of Middletown, Conn., kneels beside 26 teddy bears, each representing a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn. (David Goldman/AP)

Michael Bloomberg and Thomas Menino are co-chairs of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Bloomberg said Friday that critics said it was “too soon to talk about gun laws” after other high-profile shootings.

He said the White House and Congress have not shown leadership on the issue.

Menino said he is overcome with both grief and outrage.

He said a national policy on guns should get rid of loopholes and get automatic weapons out of neighborhoods.

– Here’s Menino’s statement:

As a parent and grandparent, I am overcome with both grief and outrage by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. This unspeakable act of violence will forever imprint this day in our hearts and minds. My heart goes out to the families impacted by this senseless tragedy and the many others we have recently witnessed across the United States. As a Mayor who has witnessed too many lives forever altered by gun violence, it is my responsibility to fight for action. Today’s tragedy reminds us that now is the time for action. Innocent children will now never attend a prom, never play in a big game, never step foot on a college campus. Now is the time for a national policy on guns that takes the loopholes out of the laws, the automatic weapons out of our neighborhoods and the tragedies like today out of our future.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom

Randall

I too am a parent and grandparent. Altho my children are grown , I am horrified and afraid
for this country due to the recent horrific mass killings of innocent people by people who
are emotionally disturbed. But…most of all I am so very fed up by the lack of leadership
being shown as to some attempt to control access to these weapons that are capable of
killing so many. There is no plausible reason in my mind to be able to own a weapon that
can be used with such devastating results.
I like the current president and support him but I want to see some leadership on his part
and some action in congress to curb the insane murders of our children or any innocent person.
Richard

Please more action and less words . You may say that this is none of my business as I am not a US citizen but after the killing of young lives at a school in Dunblane, Scotland the UK government passed a law severely restricting the possesion of all hand guns .This was supported by all political parties. It is time for the US to take action on this. This would be the best memorial for all those young lives.
- http://www.facebook.com/carlosandres1 Carlos Andres Rodriguez Aragon
  
  If you can 100% assure me that not a single weapon will end up killing again then yes… otherwise… there is NO WAY you can enforce this… Scotland is as big as one of Texas counties and Scotland doesnt have all the diversity in cultures, races, education and social differences not to mention geographical position, access and immigration and this is without mentioning Scottland has 5 million people where here are 60 times more people… .. you cannot compare.. I understand your point but there is simple no way…
  
  Look at all the countries who have been trying for decades and the ones who end up death are usually not the ones with guns… do you think it is working…? usually the ones who end up dead are the ones who cant defend themselves… this is like the drug wars… do you think the fact they are illegal have stop drugs from coming into the country…? look at the south border and you will see…
valuableval

If they don’t act swiftly, those with the power to bring about this change will forget. I think they need to have the children and their families right in front of them making this case…so they can’t minimize, justify, politicize any longer.
valuableval

It is a no brainer that there needs to be a system in place to alert authorities when someone wants to purchase assault weapons, ammunition for assault weapons, explosives, etc. A system without repercussion to merchants who report concerns over patrons that raise red flags in their minds…training to store owners to help them identify possible profiles of disturbed individuals.