The Metro Mayors Coalition has publicly endorsed the legislation passed by the House and is urging the State Senate to make the bill’s passage complete.

By Jim Clark

The Metro Mayors Coalition, a group of 13 Mayors and city and town managers that includes Somerville’s Mayor Curtatone, saluted the Massachusetts House of Representatives recently for their passage of House Bill 4278, which seeks to help in the reduction of gun violence. The Coalition is now urging the Senate to go onward and pass the bill.

Addressing the need to reduce gun related violence in Boston-area communities has been an ongoing ambition of the Metro Mayors Coalition and its members applauded the passage.

Somerville Mayor and Chair of the Metro Mayors Coalition Joseph Curtatone said in a public statement, “Congratulations to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Naughton for their hard work in passing this vital legislation. Protecting our residents from violence is one of the most important things we do as public officials. This bill provides meaningful and comprehensive reform while protecting lawful gun owner’s rights. Once again, the nation should take the lead from Massachusetts.”

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh echoed Mayor Curtatone’s sentiments by saying, “I applaud Speaker DeLeo for his tireless work over the last year to produce sensible gun legislation that will make a lasting and meaningful impact on the Commonwealth. While Massachusetts has some of the strongest gun violence prevention laws in the nation, this is the most significant legislation in a long time and I stand with the Speaker in knowing that more actions like those included in this bill are needed.”

The bill, which passed by a margin of 111-37 on July 9 – with nearly all house Republicans voting against it – requires the state of Massachusetts to comply with an established national background check system. Licensed gun dealers would be authorized to access criminal records before making a sale.

Additionally, the bill also affirms stipulations that give the licensing authority wider options when considering denying licenses to carry and firearm identification cards if, for example, a city police chief should find cause to do so based on the unsuitability of a particular applicant.

Also, school districts will have to have at least one resource officer and two-way communication devices with fire and police departments in the event of emergencies. They must also establish mental health programs for the students’ well being.

Chelsea City Manager, and Vice-Chair of the Metro Mayors Coalition, Jay Ash said, “Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Walsh in addition to Speaker DeLeo, Chairman Naughton, Chairman Linsky, and other members of the House, efforts to prevent the scourge of gun violence have moved forward by leaps and bounds. Between improved background checks, emergency response plans in schools, and increased penalties for gun-related criminal activity, the approaches that this bill takes will make a difference in our communities.”

Additionally, Malden Mayor Gary Christensen said, “As a mayor, I know the destructive effects that violence has on communities and I am encouraged by the passage of this important legislation. We need to take illegal guns off the streets and make our neighborhoods safer. This bill gives the criminal justice system the tools it needs to enhance public safety.”

The City of Somerville has embraced the spirit of the legislation by planning a “Food For Guns” firearm buyback program this coming Saturday. The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and Somerville Police Department will oversee the event wherein Somerville residents can turn in guns and ammunition – with no questions asked – in exchange for grocery vouchers. The event will take place at the Public Safety Building on Saturday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Metro Mayors Coalition is a coalition made up of 13 communities in the Greater Boston area. It is a voluntary forum where members exchange information and create solutions to common problems. Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) helped to establish Metro Mayors in 2001, and provides staff support and financial administration. The municipal officials comprising this group represent over 1.2 million constituents. The founding members include mayors and managers from Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Medford, Quincy, Revere and Somerville. In 2006, Brookline and Winthrop joined Metro Mayors, and in 2008, Braintree joined, raising the membership to 13 municipalities.