Arizonans Call On Congress To End Gun Violence As Part Of National Day To Demand Action

Mayors Against Illegal Guns Releases First Ad Featuring Newtown Family Members Demanding Political Leaders Pass Commonsense Reforms

More than 120 Events Taking Place Across the Nation – and The White House – to Drive Largest Day of Advocacy in U.S. History to Address Gun Violence; www.DemandAction.org/March28

NEW YORK, March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Arizonans gathered today in Phoenix and Tucson as part of the National Day to Demand Action to end gun violence as President Obama met with gun violence survivors, law enforcement officials and mothers at the White House to urge Congress to reform U.S. gun laws.  Mayors Against Illegal Guns also released the first television ad featuring family members of those killed at Sandy Hook calling on political leaders to support sensible reforms like comprehensive and enforceable background checks.  The ad can be viewed here: www.DemandAction.org/Newtown-Families

In Phoenix, Maricopa County Board Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Pastor Warren Stewart, Sr., and Pastor Benjamin Thomas, Sr. gathered in Cesar Chavez Plaza while in Tucson, South Tucson Mayor Jennifer Eckstrom, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, and gun violence survivors Daniel Hernandez, Jr. and Pam Simon held a press conference.

"As a victim of gun violence I know firsthand the dangers of allowing guns to fall into the hands of criminals or people with mental health concerns," said Maricopa County Board Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox.  "Congress must respond and demand action for the American People. One more illegal gun off the street could save a life."

The National Day to Demand Action – organized by Mayors Against Illegal Guns in conjunction with Organizing for Action, Americans for Responsible Solutions and other groups – will feature hundreds of mayors, law enforcement officials, faith leaders, gun violence survivors and family members who want Congress to take immediate action to strengthen our background check system and reduce gun violence.  The day is expected to be the largest gun violence advocacy event in history and is part of the largest field campaign in U.S. history to address gun violence.  The coalition recently announced that it is hiring dozens of organizers and opening campaign offices in ten states, including in Arizona.    

In addition to the National Day to Demand Action, the bipartisan coalition is also broadcasting television ads demanding action from U.S. Senators, including in Arizona.   The Senate is expected to take up gun violence prevention legislation when it reconvenes in the second week of April.  The ads can be found here: www.demandaction.org/recessads

A partial list of major events taking place across the country is available here.   

About Mayors Against Illegal Guns

Since its inception in April 2006, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has grown from 15 mayors to more than 900 mayors from across the country. We have more than 1.4 million grassroots supporters, making us the largest gun violence prevention advocacy organization in the country.  The bipartisan coalition, co-chaired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, has united the nation's mayors around these common goals: protecting their communities by holding gun offenders and irresponsible gun dealers accountable; demanding access to trace data that is critical to law enforcement efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking; and working with legislators to fix gaps, weaknesses and loopholes in the law that make it far too easy for criminals and other prohibited purchasers to get guns.  Learn more at www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org

Contact:
Alex Katz: [email protected] or 617-721-3779

Mayor Bloomberg's Press Office        (212) 788-2958
Mayor Menino's Press Office             (617) 635-4461

SOURCE Mayors Against Illegal Guns

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