04/20/10 - Mayor: After 11 years, it's time....
Mayor Roefaro: Honor this tragic anniversary with a call to Congress
Roefaro promises stalwart outreach in the coming weeks with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand
April 20, 2010 – (Utica, NY) – Today marks the 11 year anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre near Denver, Colorado. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, two students at the school, killed 12 of their fellow students and one teacher with four high-powered weapons. The weapons were obtained by the juveniles through a gap in the law known as the Gun Show Loophole. 11 years later, and despite staunch efforts to fix it, the Gun Show Loophole remains open.
Utica Mayor David Roefaro is hoping citizens across Central New York will honor the anniversary of this tragedy with a call to congress.
While the loophole is closed in New York, it remains open in 33 other states, states Mayor Roefaro has connected to illegal guns recovered in Utica.
"There's no excuse for this dangerous loophole to remain open. There is no excuse for Utica, New York, to be in jeopardy because of bureaucracy in the states around us," the mayor said.
"Pick a state along the East Coast, with the exception of New York and Pennsylvania. Drive to it. Go to a gun show. Take some cash with you. Bring home one, two, even a hundred guns. Do this as many times as you'd like without worrying about passing a background check. Now, sell the guns in Utica. Sell them to criminals. Better yet, use them yourself," the mayor provoked.
"This scenario is dangerous, yet happening everyday."
Roefaro promises that in the coming weeks, he will publicly ask Utica's federal representatives to call for a federal hearing regarding the Gun Show Loophole. In the meantime, the mayor says residents should be vigilant.
"Today, everyone should pick up the phone and call congress. Tell them to close the Gun Show Loophole," he said.
"Remind the person on the other end of the phone that Columbine was the deadliest school killing at a high school in United States History, and that it could happen again, anywhere."
To call Congress dial 202-225-3665
and (202) 224-6542
