Wikipedia

Everytown for Gun Safety

US-Organisation, die sich für Waffenkontrolle einsetzt
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The Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition is a coalition of mayors and former mayors from more than 300 United States cities, with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The group was formed on April 25, 2006, during a summit held at Gracie Mansion in New York City that was hosted by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The CEO of this coalition is Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The initial group consisted of 15 mayors; the 15 drafted and signed a statement of principles[1] and set a goal to expand their membership to 50 mayors by the end of 2006. That goal was met six months ahead of schedule, and led to its current claimed membership of more than 300 current and former mayors.

The Coalition is composed of mayors from both major political parties, the Progressive Party, and the Green Party[2], and its statement of principles has received the endorsement of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Conference of Black Mayors. [3] The majority of members of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition are Democrats.

Origin

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is funded in part by a $175,000 grant [4] from the Joyce Foundation, a Chicago-based non-profit organization which supports gun control measures.[5]

Funding

Michael Bloomberg is the largest funder of the group, having contributed $2.9 million. Eli Broad contributed $750,000 and the Joyce Foundation contributed $1.1 million.[6]

Tiahrt Amendment

One of the primary goals of the organization is to undo the Tiahrt Amendment. Since its passage in 2003 as an amendment to an appropriations bill, the Amendment has forbidden the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from releasing information from its firearms trace database to anyone other than a law enforcement agency or prosecutor in connection with a criminal investigation, and any data so released is deemed inadmissible in a civil lawsuit.[7] The mayors contend that the Amendment restricts access of cities and law enforcement to gun trace data, hindering municipal police departments' ability to track down sellers of illegal guns.[8] Mayor Bloomberg has called the Amendment "an insult to the thousands of police officers that face the threat of illegal guns."[9]

In July, 2007, after the House Appropriations Committee rebuffed attempts to repeal the amendment, the Senate Appropriations Committee went further, approving a bill that, according to the New York Times, "threatens law enforcement officials with prison time for using gun tracing data beyond a specific investigation, say, for identifying and targeting trafficking patterns."[10]

Criticism and controversy

The ATF, along with the Fraternal Order of Police[11], Law Enforcement Alliance of America[12], and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association[13] oppose repealing the Tiahrt Amendment.

During a breakfast meeting sponsored by the Lady's Home Journal, Bloomberg called the Fraternal Order of Police a "fringe organization" after it opposed his efforts to repeal the Tiahrt Amendment. "I would say resident within the Fraternal Order of Police is far more expertise with the administration of justice than Mayor Bloomberg's limited experience in that area," said James Pasco, the group's executive director.[14]

Mayor Bloomberg has been criticized by Virginia's Attorney General, Robert F. McDonnell, for sending private investigators to conduct sting operations of gun shops in the Commonwealth without coordinating these investigations with state or Federal law enforcement agencies, thereby possibly compromising on-going investigations. In reaction to these sting operations, the state legislature passed legislation making it a felony to engage in private investigations of gun shops without state or Federal law enforcement officials present. [15]

Indicted, convicted, and scandalized members

Seven current and former members of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition are currently under felony indictments, and two others were recently convicted of felonies. After the indictment, arrest, and subsequent jailing of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms has called on Kilpatrick to resign from the Coalition.[16] It is not yet certain whether Mayor Sheila Dixon's three felony indictments for theft and perjury[17][18] will have a similar result. Nor is it known if Mayor Frank Melton's felony indictment on civil rights charges[19] (now scheduled for a re-trial, following a mistrial) will have a similar result. Nor is it known if Birmingham, Alabama Mayor Larry Langford's arrest on Federal charges of money laundering and bribery[20] will have a similar result. Nor is it known if Mayor Samuel Rivera, of Passaic, New Jersey's indictment on corruption charges[21] will have a similar result. Nor is known if Racine, Wisconsin Mayor Gary Becker's five felony indictments for child pornography-related charges[22] will have a similar result. Nor is it known if Jerramiah Healy's conviction for obstruction of justice in 2007[23] or his recent implication is the massive corruption sweep in New Jersey (in which he was named, but not indicted)[24] will have a similar result. Nor is it known if the indictment of Mayor Eddie Perez on bribery, fabricating evidence, and conspiracy to fabricate evidence felony charges[25] will have a similar result. Nor is it known if Mayor Will Wynn's Class C misdemeanor conviction for a choking assault[26] will have a similar result. Nor is it known if Mayor David Delle Donna, of Guttenberg, New Jersey's Federal extortion and mail fraud indictment[27] and conviction[28] will have a similar result.

Following the illegal seizure of firearms in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, at his order, Mayor Ray Nagin settled a lawsuit and had a permanent injunction issued prohibiting Nagin or any New Orleans employee from confiscating any lawfully possessed firearm and ordering the return of hundreds of illegally confiscated firearms.[29] Mayor Ron Tussing of Billings, Montana (the only Montana member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition) has had four ethics violations complaints filings against him by the Montana News Association with the Billings Board of Ethics.[30] Meanwhile, the sex scandals[31] of California's big city mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Gavin Newsom have not led to indictments or resignations, so it is unlikely that they will lead to a change in their membership status in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition.[32] Macon, Georgia's former Mayor Jack Ellis is under a cloud of controversy because of multiple taxpayer-funded trips to Africa, his conversion to Islam, and his contacts with Venezuela's leftist president.[33] Mayor Gerald Jennings of Albany, New York is also involved in a scandal[34] regarding the purchase of 52 machine guns. It is unclear whether the weapons were purchased for departmental use or for the use of private individuals. Weapons were delivered to Police Department addresses but apparently paid for with private funds. The Department has not produced a list of weapons, their location, or the names of the individuals who purchased them. At least one later turned up, illegally for sale to the public, in an area gun store. The police officer who sold the gun to the store has testified that he bought it from a Police Union official who was also the Department's armorer. [35] The current Chief of Police is the fifth appointed by Jennings. [36] This case is still open, but oddly has not led to an indictment or resignation[37], so it is unlikely that it will lead to a change in his membership status in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition.

Announced resignations

Six mayors have withdrawn from the organization, claiming that they were misled about the group's anti-gun platform.[38][39][40] They are: Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman; Carmel, Indiana Mayor James Brainard; Rio Rancho, New Mexico Mayor Kevin Jackson; Anchorage, Alaska Mayor Mark Begich; Oldmans Township, New Jersey Mayor Harry Moore.[41], and Mayor Marlene Anielski, Walton Hills, Ohio.[42]. The resignations of Kevin Jackson and Jared Fuhriman left the state of Idaho completely unrepresented in the organization, and Alaska with just one representative mayor.

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors there are 1,201 cities n the US with a population of 30,000 or more that are headed by mayors.[43] Several of the mayors in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition represent even smaller towns and cities--particularly in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which are disproportionately represented.

Participating Mayors

The following list was complied in June, 2007, but has subsequently had names removed, to reflect announced resignations.

Alabama

Alaska

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

  • Mayor John McBeth, Akron
  • Mayor Anthony Battalini, Aliquippa
  • Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown
  • Mayor Charles T. "Bud" Wahl, Ambler
  • Mayor Bernard Killian, Aspinwall
  • Mayor Alexander Bennett, Baldwin
  • Mayor Cloyd W. Wagner, Beavertown
  • Mayor David E. Orr, Beech Creek
  • Mayor John Callahan, Bethlehem
  • Mayor Robert Myers, Birdsboro
  • Mayor Keith G. Billig, Bowmanstown
  • Mayor Marianne V. Deery, Boyertown
  • Mayor Jeffrey A. Cowan, Brackenridge
  • Mayor Kenneth Lockhart, Brentwood
  • Mayor Margaret Stock, Butler
  • Mayor Justin M. Taylor, Carbondale
  • Mayor Kirk R. Wilson, Carlisle
  • Mayor Donald Baumgarten, Castle Shannon
  • Mayor Barbara Schlegel, Catasauqua
  • Mayor Ronald Lockwood, Cherry Valley
  • Mayor Wendell N. Butler, Chester
  • Mayor Brian P. Fox, Christiana
  • Mayor Paul McKenna, Churchill
  • Mayor Jonathan J. Mack, Coopersburg
  • Mayor Helen Thomas, Darby
  • Mayor Mary Ann Fichthorn, Denver
  • Mayor Thomas Lloyd, Dormont
  • Mayor Heather Ann Bruno, Downingtown
  • Mayor Libby White, Doylestown
  • Mayor Betty M. Hays, Eagles Mere
  • Mayor Keith E. Hoffman, East Berlin
  • Mayor Salvatore J. Panto Jr., Easton
  • Mayor Wayne T. Murphy, Edgeworth Borough
  • Mayor Robert H. Brain, Elizabethtown
  • Mayor Joseph J. Cisco, Ellwood City
  • Mayor Winfield Iobst, Emmaus
  • Mayor Joseph Sinnott, Erie
  • Mayor Harry W. McLaughlin, Fox Chapel
  • Mayor Robert E. Heller, Franklin
  • Mayor Fred C. Moyer Jr., Freeburg
  • Mayor Gerald C. Yob, Freemansburg
  • Mayor William E. Troxell, Gettysburg
  • Mayor Karl Eisaman, Greensburg
  • Mayor Cathryn H. Rape, Harmony
  • Mayor Stephen R. Reed, Harrisburg
  • Mayor Norm Hawkes, Hatboro
  • Mayor Joseph R. Dodson, Hollidaysburg
  • Mayor Betty Esper, Homestead
  • Mayor Nicholas Yanosich, Industry
  • Mayor Sandra Green, Kutztown
  • Mayor Rick Gray, Lancaster
  • Mayor Jayne C. Young, Lansdowne
  • Mayor Robert P. Carpenter, Laporte
  • Mayor Fred Feltenberger, Laureldale
  • Mayor Trish Ward, Lebanon
  • Mayor John L. Mark, Liverpool
  • Mayor Gerard McGlone, Malvern
  • Mayor Russell LaRew, Marianna
  • Mayor Oliver Overlander, Marietta
  • Mayor Richard Friedberg, Meadville
  • Mayor Angela Adkins, Midland
  • Mayor Karen Bartosh, Midway
  • Mayor Richard Trostle, Mohnton
  • Mayor John P. Antoline, Monaca
  • Mayor Jeffrey L. Repasky, Mount Oliver
  • Mayor Josh Nowotarski, Mount Penn
  • Mayor James F. Kinder, Mount Wolf
  • Mayor Joyce K. Somers, Murrysville
  • Mayor Betty Cain, New Alexandria
  • Mayor Frank Link, New Kensington
  • Mayor Raymond L. McDonough, North Braddock
  • Mayor Leonard L. Santimyer, North Irwin
  • Mayor Thomas Reenock, Northampton
  • Mayor Michele Petrini Avvisato, Old Forge
  • Mayor Geoffrey L. Henry, Oxford
  • Mayor Ardele R. Gordon, Parkside
  • Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia
  • Mayor Morris S. Williams, Pine Grove
  • Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh
  • Mayor John D. Reiley, Pottsville
  • Mayor Tom McMahon, Reading
  • Mayor Walter Niedermeyer, Slatington
  • Mayor James Kennedy, South Coatesville
  • Mayor Bill Welch, State College
  • Mayor Charles Baugham, Stroudsburg
  • Mayor Paul R. McArdle, Summit Hill
  • Mayor Luke Duignam, Tatamy
  • Mayor Jay Stover, Telford
  • Mayor Pamela Murphy, Thompsontown
  • Mayor Dale Deiter, Tower City
  • Mayor Regina T. Beck, Trainer
  • Mayor Adam Forgie, Turtle Creek
  • Mayor Jane Haskins, Ulysses
  • Mayor Emerson Fazekas, Versailles
  • Mayor Tina Hagenbuch, Weissport
  • Mayor John Andzelik, West Mifflin
  • Mayor Shane Keller, West Reading
  • Mayor Thomas M. Leighton, Wilkes-Barre
  • Mayor John Thompson, Wilkinsburg
  • Mayor Mitchell D. Mogilski, Wind Gap
  • Mayor Larry Markel, Windsor
  • Mayor Jacqueline B. Mosley, Yeadon
  • Mayor John S. Brenner, York

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

References

Vorlage:Reflist

Vorlage:USgunorgs

  1. ↑ Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Principles. Retrieved on June 12, 2007
  2. ↑ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/22/BAGM1MI0TF1.DTL&hw=richmond+mayor&sn=001&sc=1000
  3. ↑ Coalition History. Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, 2006, abgerufen am 6. Juni 2007.
  4. ↑ Mayors Take on Illegal Guns. The Joyce Foundation, 2006, abgerufen am 6. Juni 2007.
  5. ↑ Gun Panel Meets and Comes Under Fire, FoxNews.com. Abgerufen am 11. April 2007 
  6. ↑ "A Battle of Goliaths: Michael Bloomberg and His Gun Control Group Take on the NRA" August 5, 2009 The Washington Post By Manuel Roig-Franzia http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/04/AR2009080403132_pf.html
  7. ↑ Full text of current Tiahrt Amendment From ProtectPolice.org, a project of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
  8. ↑ Knight, Healther (June 19, 2007) "Mayors Fight Gun Measure." San Francisco Chronicle.
  9. ↑ msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved on July 10, 2007
  10. ↑ The New York Times. Retrieved on July 17, 2007
  11. ↑ News Item
  12. ↑ [1]
  13. ↑ http://www.nraila.org/media/PDFs/ssbenevolent.pdf
  14. ↑ [http://www.nypost.com/seven/05102007/news/regionalnews/n_y__triggers_gun_stings_nationwide_regionalnews_david_seifman_____city_hall_bureau_chief.htm N.Y. Triggers Gun Stings Nationwide, The New York Post, May 10, 2007 By: David Seifman
  15. ↑ Va. Tells NYC to Stop Gun Stings, Washington Post, pg. A01, May 10, 2007 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/09/AR2007050902573.html
  16. ↑ Bloomberg Anti-Gun "Soul-Mate" Kilpatrick Now a Cellmate; Should Resign, Says CCRKBA - MarketWatch
  17. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/us/10baltimore.html?_r=1
  18. ↑ http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/30/Mayor-indicted-for-theft-perjury-again/UPI-93311248967375/
  19. ↑ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/breaking_frank_melton_indicted_on_felony_charges/
  20. ↑ http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/01/birmingham-mayor-arrested-federal-charges/
  21. ↑ http://patersononline.net/potm/2008/01/16/sammy-rivera-mayor-of-passaic-indicted/
  22. ↑ http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/37649499.html
  23. ↑ http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/07/jersey_city_mayor_jerramiah_he.html
  24. ↑ http://www.northjersey.com/hudson_essex/HEALY0725.html
  25. ↑ http://www.inqnews.com/Article.php?id=883
  26. ↑ http://www.dailytexanonline.com/state-local/will-wynn-charged-with-assault-sentenced-to-community-service-1.949829
  27. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/nyregion/29fraud.html?_r=1
  28. ↑ http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/jurors_in_the_federal_corrupti.html
  29. ↑ http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-08-nra-katrina_N.htm
  30. ↑ http://express-press-release.net/53/CITY%20OF%20BILLINGS%20MAYOR%20RON%20TUSSING%20HAS%20HAD%20FOUR%20ETHICS%20%20VIOLATION%20COMPLAINTS%20FILED%20AGAINST%20HIM%20WITH%20THE%20BILLINGS%20BOARD%20OF%20ETHICS.php
  31. ↑ http://publicaffairs.unlv.ath.cx/articles/Daily%20Clips/01-30-2008.Sex%20and%20the%20City%20(ABC%20News).PDF
  32. ↑ http://www.dailynews.com/ci_6286125
  33. ↑ http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1Y1-110712697.html
  34. ↑ http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=773606
  35. ↑ http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=773606
  36. ↑ [2]
  37. ↑ http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=773606&category=REGION
  38. ↑ Mayor Withdraws from anti-gun coalition, The Indianapolis Star, June 27, 2007 By: Tania E. Lopez http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/LOCAL0101/706270329/1015/LOCAL01
  39. ↑ Letter to the Editor, Anchorage Daily News, February 4, 2007 by Mayor Mark Begich http://www.adn.com/opinion/letters/story/8614932p-8507468c.html
  40. ↑ An Idaho Mayor Withdraws From Bloomberg's Gun Group, The New York Sun, January 17, 2007 By: Bradley Hope http://www.nysun.com/article/46799
  41. ↑ National Shooting Sports Foundation: Firearms Industry Hails New Jersey Mayor Following Resignation from Bloomberg Coalition
  42. ↑ http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/printable/node/6840
  43. ↑ http://usmayors.org/about/overview.asp
  44. ↑ http://www.cityofbinghamton.com/viewarticle.asp?a=3151
  45. ↑ http://www.beavertonoregon.gov/mayor/
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