Melrose mayor, others, ask for tighter federal gun laws
Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan joined 21 other Massachusetts mayors and over 750 municipal leaders across the country in signing a letter asking President Barack Obama to seek tighter federal gun laws.
The letter from the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition, dated Dec. 19, was cowritten by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor -- and Medford native -- Michael Bloomberg.
"I signed off on the letter and will be working with the group to help coordinate communications in Massachusetts," said Dolan in a statement. "Mayor Menino and Mayor Bloomberg feel it is important to have Mayors of cities like Melrose on board since Newtown is very similar to Melrose. This is not just an urban, 'big city' issue but an issue for all American cities."
The letter calls for the closing of the "gun show loophole," which allows purchasers of weapons at gun shows to circumvent background checks. It also calls for a ban on high-capacity rifles and magazines.
The letter was also signed by mayors Michael McGlynn of Medford, Joseph Curtatone of Somerville, and Gary Christenson of Malden.
Jarret Bencks can be reached at bencks.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on twitter @JarretBencks.
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