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Statement of Principles

      Whereas: As mayors, our problems may look different from town to town, but we are united in our duty to do everything we can to protect our residents from the threat of gun violence;

      Whereas: Every day, 125 people in the United States are killed with guns and more than 200 are shot and wounded.

      Now, therefore, we resolve to work together to advance the following principles:

      • Advocate for gun safety legislation at the local, state, and federal level.

        Support life-saving gun violence prevention laws like background checks on all gun sales, domestic violence firearm relinquishment, and Red Flag laws; and oppose harmful laws, like Stand Your Ground, permitless carry, guns in schools, and state preemption.

         

      • Collect and publish data to better understand gun violence in our communities.

        Collect, analyze, and publish data on gun violence—including suicides, homicides, and non-fatal injuries—to identify the most affected communities and guide effective, evidence-based interventions.

      • Implement comprehensive tracing of crime guns.

        Encourage police to trace all suspected crime guns to identify the sources of firearms, to develop leads, and to identify potential traffickers. Target illegal supply, including holding accountable irresponsible gun dealers who knowingly sell to straw purchasers and the criminals who traffic in illegal guns.

      • Advance evidence-based prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies.

        Support evidence-based, intelligence-led policing that focuses on preventing violence among those at highest risk of shooting or being shot and promote the enforcement of existing gun laws that have swift and certain consequences. Help heal communities and disrupt cycles of violence by investing in comprehensive services for survivors and support the integration of community-based violence intervention programs.

      • Advance policies and practices that reduce firearm suicides and unintentional shootings.

        Raise public awareness and advance education about the risks of firearm access; encourage the responsible storage of firearms to prevent access by children; and create mechanisms to temporarily remove firearms from households with individuals in crisis.

      • Invite other cities to join us in this effort.

        Help us strengthen this coalition as we work together to end gun violence in America.