Webb Joins New Jersey Mayors, Million Mom March Founder in Calling for Action on Gun Safety

By Ed Somers
May 1, 2000

Conference President Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb gave keynote remarks and participated in several press events during the 37th Annual New Jersey Conference of Mayors Meeting in Atlantic City on April 13.

The meeting, whose theme was “Public Safety and our Youth,” was presided over by Atlantic City Mayor James Whelan, President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.

In addition to giving keynote remarks during a plenary luncheon of 600 people, Mayor Webb spoke during a morning press conference with top New Jersey mayors and Donna Dees-Thomases, founder of the Million Mom March scheduled for May 14.

Webb also participated in a panel discussion on the subject of gun safety and youth, which was televised by the New Jersey Public Television Network.

A number of key New Jersey mayors and active U.S. Conference of Mayors members participated in the meeting including Mayor Whelan, Newark Mayor Sharpe James, Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, Hope Mayor Tim McDonough, and many others. In addition, Bridgeport (CT) Mayor Joe Ganim, Co-Chair of the Conference’s Gun Violence Task Force, participated in the discussions regarding gun safety.

Conference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran also gave his annual “Report from Washington” during the Board of Directors dinner on April 12.

Million Mom March Strongly Endorsed

In a morning press conference on April 13, the mayors joined with Donna Dees-Thomases, founder of the Million Mom March for gun safety which will take place on Mothers’ Day, May 14 in Washington, DC.

In discussing the need for action on gun safety, Mayor Webb said, “Mayors across the country have been on this issue long before anybody else, because safety is one of our primary responsibilities. The whole issue of guns is one we have been talking about for years.”                                         

The U.S. Conference of Mayors, as well as the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, has strongly endorsed the Million Mom March, and Mayor Webb said, “The reason that we are all standing up is for the same reason that the Million Mom March is taking place, it’s for the kids. They should be able to live in a safe environment.”

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim added that, “the toughest job in America, in the world is being a mother. No mother should have to worry about their child when they put them on a school bus, or send them to daycare...”

Ms. Dees-Thomases said, “The moms are coming” to Washington, DC.

“We now know that gun violence has come to all of our neighborhoods, and it’s time that suburban moms wake up...” and demand action on this issue, Dees-Thomases added.

In congratulating the moms for their work, Mayor Whelan said, “It’s going to happen because of you, and all of us are much more optimistic now because of your efforts.”

For more information on the Million Mom March, call 1-888-989-MOMS or see http://www.millionmommarch.com/. 

Webb Keynotes Luncheon

Mayor Webb began his luncheon address by congratulating Atlantic City Mayor Whelan for the economic development and improvements taking place in his city.

“It is clear to me, having served at the federal, state and local levels, that the unsung heroes of our governmental system are those that serve at the local level, specifically those that serve as mayors,” Webb said.

“Guns are something we have to keep in the forefront, in terms of access, in terms of regulation, in terms of background checks, in terms of assault weapons... to continue to prod the Congress to do the right thing... and improve the livability of our cities,” Webb said.

Mayor Webb added that the issue is not as simple as keeping guns away from criminals, in that good people sometimes do the wrong thing. He related the story of a family member who, on the Fourth of July, died from a bullet shot into the air by a neighbor which came down into his heart. The family member was sitting on his back porch several feet from Mayor Webb.

“We have a recalcitrant Congress which refuses to act on something as modest as requiring a background check on guns sold at gun shows,” Webb stressed.

Webb added that the nation’s police chiefs, who stood with the mayors on the need for a crime bill in the early 1990’s, are again standing with the mayors on the need for common sense gun safety laws.

Webb also urged New Jersey mayors to take a close look at the issue of the sales tax and the Internet, and the potential impact of a preemption on the ability of local governments to finance needed services, as well as the competitive disadvantage for local businesses.

“We need to make sure that there is a level playing field between e-commerce and main street retailers in our communities,” Mayor Webb said.

In concluding his remarks, Mayor Webb stated his continued call that the next President of the United States focus on streamlining services provided across federal agencies, as well as regulations imposed on cities, and in some cases see that funds are sent directly to cities.

Televised Gun Safety Debate

Mayors Webb, Ganim, Whelan, Bret Schundler of Jersey City and Tim McDonough of Hope, participated in an hour-long televised discussion of the issue of handgun violence and children on the afternoon of April 13, along with Conference Executive Director Cochran, a representative from the Million Mom March, and pro-gun professor John Lott.

When asked what has changed since Columbine, Mayor Webb stated, “We now have more people involved in the debate on whether we have too many guns, or not enough guns,” and what needs to take place in communities to make people safer.

Dr. Lott argued during this debate that many more people protect themselves with guns than those who commit crimes with guns, and that gun safety locks and smart guns may increase crimes because they will “scare people from owning guns.”

In responding to this statement, Mayor Ganim said, “I strongly believe that the American public wants to take steps to help prevent children from gaining access to guns.”

Mayor Schundler stressed the importance of programs like Project Exile, which he hopes to launch in Jersey City, designed to impose tough sentences on criminals convicted of crimes involving a gun.

Conference Executive Director Cochran stressed the continued concern of gun shows at which unlicenced dealers can sell weapons without background checks.

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