Statements of Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chairs Michael R. Bloomberg and Mayor Thomas M. Menino on Budget Measure That Stops Tracking of Bulk Sales of Rifles in Border States

NEW YORK, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Statement of New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg:

"We need the White House and the congressional leadership to reject efforts by the NRA and its allies to insert the Boren Amendment into the latest continuing budget resolution. The Boren Amendment removes funding for an emergency rule requested by the ATF to trace bulk sales of long guns in Southwest border states.

"This measure is not about money.  It is a stealth effort to cut off debate about a critical crime-fighting tool at the behest of special interests.  It has no place in a serious negotiation about the real need to get the federal budget under control."

Statement of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino:

"Less than a month ago, President Obama called for a new national dialogue about guns.  If the Administration abandons a critical crime-fighting tool requested by a federal law enforcement agency, that conversation is off to a very bad start.

"More than 90 percent of guns traced to crimes in Mexico originated in the United States, and those firearms have facilitated the murder of more than 30,000 Mexican citizens by powerful drug cartels – while also endangering the lives of Americans, including our law enforcement officers. Stopping this carnage requires the commitment of both the Mexican and U.S. governments. Adding language that prevents the ATF from tracing the guns used in the killings should not be part of a discussion on the federal budget."

SOURCE Mayors Against Illegal Guns