Several mayors in Vermont are banding together to speak out about reducing gun violence.
Mayors Miro Weinberger of Burlington, John Hollar of Montpelier, and Thomas Lauzon of Barre held a news conference at the Burlington Police station. Mayor Chris Louras of Rutland supported the move, but couldn't attend. They want more action from Washington to reduce gun violence and are joining a bipartisan coalition of more than 800 mayors and more than a million grassroots supporters.
The campaign, called "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" is seeking criminal background checks on all gun sales, including private sales and at gun shows. They also want a national ban on the sale of assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines renewed, and to make gun-trafficking a federal crime.
More than 40 mayors, law enforcement officers, gun violence victims, and gun owners from across the country participated in similar events across the country to demand action from Congress. Mayors Against Illegal Guns is co-chaired by the mayors of New York City and Boston.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
