Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Joins Coalition of Mayors Calling on the United States Senate to Take Immediate Action on Gun Safety Legislation

Today, in the wake of last weekend’s horrific and senseless mass shootings in El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson joined 213 other bipartisan mayors from across the country in a letter to Senate leaders urging immediate action on gun safety legislation.

“The tragic events in El Paso and Dayton are just the latest reminders that our nation’s leaders need to act and to act now.  As Mayor of Dallas, my first responsibility is to make sure our residents are safe.  I grieve with my friends Mayor Dee Margo and Mayor Nan Whaley and the cities of El Paso and Dayton.  We know firsthand here in Dallas, after the tragic events of July 7, 2016, the effect these senseless acts of violence have on our communities,” said Johnson.

The letter, addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer, urges the Senate to be called back into session immediately to consider two bipartisan bills that previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives.  H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019, which passed the House on February 27, 2019 on a bipartisan vote of 240-190, would close loopholes in the nation’s background check system for gun purchases.  H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019, passed the House on February 28, 2019 on a bipartisan vote of 228-198.  This bill would lengthen the background check review period deadline.

The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,408 such cities in the country today. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor.  The conference has consistently advocated for policies to combat gun violence, and recently adopted several resolutions to address the crisis at its Annual Summer Conference in Honolulu.