In the lead up to National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today announced three new co-chairs. Joining founding chair Mike Bloomberg and eight incumbent co-chairs as leaders of the coalition, they include: Cleveland, Ohio Mayor Justin Bibb; Arlington, Texas Mayor Jim Ross; and Lansing, Michigan Mayor Andy Schor.
“Mayors are on the frontlines of our nation’s gun violence epidemic, so it’s no surprise they’re also leading the charge for common-sense solutions to keep American communities safe,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We are grateful to our new Mayors Against Illegal Guns co-chairs for putting gun safety at the top of their agenda, and we call on other leaders at every level of government to follow their lead.”
“Gun violence is an issue that Mayors across the country are facing head-on. Nothing is more heart-breaking than talking to parents who have lost a child due to gun violence. There are just too many illegal guns on the streets and in the hands of far too many people who shouldn’t have them. By working together with Everytown for Gun Safety, we can – and will – make a difference. I’m proud to have been asked to serve as Co-chair and I will lend my voice and experience to curbing gun violence in our communities,” said Mayor Andy Schor.
“I am deeply honored to be named a Co-Chair for Mayors Against Illegal Guns. It is a privilege to lead this important coalition and I am committed to working tirelessly alongside my fellow mayors to prevent gun violence in our communities and create safer, more secure neighborhoods for all residents,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb.
“As a former Marine and a police officer, I am pro Second Amendment. But I am also pro responsibility. Guns kill more kids in our country than anything else. We put our kids in cars every single day of the week and guns still kill more children than car wrecks. That is sobering to me. I am looking forward to working with Mayors Against Illegal Guns to strategize how we can keep illegal firearms off the streets and out of our communities for the safety of our children and families,” said Mayor Jim Ross.
The new co-chairs join eight incumbent co-chairs, including: Baltimore, Maryland Mayor Brandon Scott; Chattanooga, Tennessee Mayor Tim Kelly; Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas; Mount Vernon, New York Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard; New York, New York Mayor Eric Adams; St. Louis, Missouri Mayor Tishaura Jones; Tampa, Florida Mayor Jane Castor; and Tucson, Arizona Mayor Regina Romero.
Two leading gun safety champions, former Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Steve Benjamin and former Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs, have transitioned out of their roles as co-chairs. Last year, Mayor Benjamin was appointed Senior Advisor to the President of the United States and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, where he continues to make significant contributions on a national level. Mayor Tubbs will further his groundbreaking efforts with End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, driving initiatives to alleviate poverty and promote economic justice.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns co-chairs and members implement and advocate for life-saving gun safety reforms from local community violence intervention programs and enforcement strategies, to municipal-level gun safety ordinances, and state and federal legislation. The newly announced co-chairs of Mayors Against Illegal Guns will serve two year terms. During their tenure, co-chairs will provide leadership and stewardship for the coalition and advise on priorities and policies.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns is Everytown’s national coalition of leaders advocating for life-saving gun safety reforms from local programs and tactics to state and federal legislation. Since its creation in April 2006, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has grown from 15 mayors of major American cities to more than 2,000 current and former mayors. The nonpartisan coalition has united mayors around these common goals: advancing enforcement and data collection strategies to prevent gun violence; investing in survivor services and violence intervention programs to address gun violence; and advocating for gun safety legislation at the local, state, and federal level.
