Mayor Brodeur Joins Coalition of Over 60 Mayors in Urging U.S. House Speaker Johnson to Pass Assault Weapons Ban
Mayor Paul Brodeur has joined a coalition of more than 60 mayors from cities across the nation in urging United States House Speaker Mike Johnson to pass an assault weapons ban.
In early November, the coalition of mayors led by New York City Mayor Adams drafted a letter urging Speaker Johnson to pass a strong federal assault weapons ban. The signatories of the letter include Mayor Brodeur as well as mayors of cities such as Buffalo, New York, and Highland Park, Illinois, that have experienced mass shootings perpetrated with assault weapons.
“I am proud to stand alongside Mayor Adams and 60 other mayors from across the country in urging Speaker Johnson to pass an assault weapons ban,” said Mayor Brodeur. “The United States had a federal assault weapons ban in place from 1994 through 2004, and that ban survived several court challenges, but Congress let it expire. Such a ban would help prevent mass shootings, of which there have been over 600 in the United States in 2023 alone. As for the most recent mass shooting in Lewiston, I extend my deepest condolences to all who have been affected by the tragedy and call on Congress to get weapons of war off the streets. Further, I want to recognize the Melrose Police Department for its work in support of the criminal investigation in Lewiston.”
In a press release disseminated by his office, Mayor Adams said, “In some states in this country, it’s easier to buy a weapon of war than it is to buy a Sudafed…[as] a result, we can’t feel safe in the places where we should feel safest — our movie theaters, our music festivals, our houses of worship, and even our schools.”
Mayor Adams added, “And no matter how strong some state gun laws are, we’re only as safe as the weakest link. We will continue to work tirelessly in New York City and in cities across the nation to drive shootings down and prevent every form of gun violence — whether it’s the mass shootings that make the headlines or the daily gun violence and gun suicides that don’t. But we need our partners in Washington, DC to do their part as well. That’s why we’re coming together to let Speaker Johnson know that we need a federal ban on assault weapons now.”
To read the letter urging Speaker Johnson to pass the ban on assault weapons, visit https://www.cityofmelrose.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3451/f/uploads/awb-mayors-letter.pdf
Previously, Mayor Brodeur has taken a strong and clear stance against gun violence. For the past two years, Mayor Brodeur proclaimed the first weekend in June “Gun Violence Awareness Weekend in Melrose,” and has delivered proclamations intended to raise awareness about gun violence. Under Brodeur’s leadership, Melrose continued to be a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a relationship that began under Mayor Dolan.
For community members who would like to join the efforts, Mayor Brodeur recommends writing a letter urging House Speaker Johnson to pass an assault weapon ban. Speaker Johnson’s contact information can be found below.
Address:
The Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker of the US House of Representatives
568 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC, 20515-1804
Phone:
(202) 225-2777