On behalf of the largest law enforcement agencies in the Nation, Major Cities Chiefs Association President and Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger issued a statement today announcing the release of an updated and expanded Firearms Violence Policy. Chiefs of Police gathered in Nashville, TN, and considered measures to prevent gun violence seen in recent cases in Florida, Texas, and throughout the Nation.
Adopted by a vote of Chiefs at their meeting, the new policy statement includes calling on Congress to:
• Adopt a Universal Background Check for all gun sales and transfers;
• Expand screening for prohibited buyers to include persons with violent mental health history;
• Seek “Red Flag” measures to prevent guns from reaching persons who threaten violence and murder; and
• Urge legislation that permits court orders barring gun purchases in domestic violence cases.
The new policy reflects lessons learned from recent tragic gun murders and pleas of both parents and youth from Marjory Stoneman High School, in Parkland, Florida, who attended the Chiefs’ conference.
Chief Manger said: “As first responders, we have seen the toll that firearms violence takes on our communities and it is time that we as a Nation take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of such tragic events. Reform to this system is overdue and we must all play a role in keeping firearms off our streets and out of our schools.”
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said: “The Major Cities Chiefs Association joins with those we are sworn to protect in our commitment to reform that will reduce the threat of gun violence in America, and we will use the strength of our nationwide membership to move these important proposals forward.”
Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said: “As representatives of the largest urban areas in the Nation, where gun violence takes the highest toll, we have seen first-hand the dangers that firearms pose to our cities and urge Congress to do everything it can to eliminate the incalculable risk that these firearms pose to our entire society.”
