Mayors of the two cities that were joined by more than 200 of their counterparts on Thursday in demanding the US Senate return from its recess to pass gun safety legislation already approved by the House of Representatives.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, the 214 mayors urged the Senate to urgently address the issue in response to back-to-back shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that left 31 people dead.
“The tragic events in El Paso and Dayton this weekend are just the latest reminders that our nation can no longer wait for our federal government to take the actions necessary to prevent people who should not have access to firearms from being able to purchase them,” the letter signed by members of the United States Conference of Mayors, said.
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo speaks with the media at a memorial four days after a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas. Source: Reuters
The offices of Mr McConnell, a Republican, and Mr Schumer, a Democrat, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The mayors, including El Paso’s Dee Margo, a Republican, and Dayton’s Nan Whaley, a Democrat, urged early voting on two bills , pointing out that the United States had 250 mass shootings so far in 2019.
Mourners gather for a vigil at the scene of the mass shooting in Dayton. Source: AP
Earlier this year, the White House issued veto threats on both bills.
Police swarm the area around the Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, where the shooting occurred. Source: AFP
Two Democratic presidential candidates signed the letter: Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
