By Wendy Greuel
[Editor’s Note: The Los Angeles City Controller is a candidate for mayor in the March 5 primary election.]
Newtown. Aurora. Tucson. Virginia Tech. Columbine.
America has seen far too many gun tragedies over the past few years. People in every corner of our nation, and right here in Los Angeles, have had families destroyed by gun violence. As Mayor, I will work so that gun violence never touches your life.
In his passionate, powerful State of the Union address last night, President Obama reminded us that “in the two months since Newtown, more than a thousand birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries have been stolen from our lives by a bullet from a gun.” But in the two months since Newtown, Congress has failed to act on meaningful, common sense gun control.
Last night the President declared: “They deserve a vote.” I agree.
That's why I'm standing with the President today. I hope you will join me.
One of the most important responsibilities of city government is to protect our neighborhoods. As Mayor, I will work to make sure we keep our kids safe and out of gangs. I will work to develop better emergency plans so that we can respond in a crisis.
I am proud to have the support of several Los Angeles law enforcement organizations including Los Angeles police officers, school police, and sheriffs. They are supporting me because they know that above all else, I will make the safety of the people of Los Angeles a top priority.
As Mayor, I intend to be a national leader on this issue and work closely with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, founded by New York Mayor Bloomberg, just as I have with the Los Angeles-based organization, Women Against Gun Violence.
We need a national solution to the problem of illegal guns, because guns don't obey state or city boundaries. I support the President's proposals to close loopholes in our background check system, get military-style assault weapons off our streets, and restrict the sale of large-capacity magazines. These are crucial reforms, and they deserve a vote.
