Mayors call for gun reform action

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)  Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry held a news conference Monday where he and other government officials are calling on President Obama and Congress to take steps to end gun violence.

Henry was joined at noon in his office by Angola Mayor Richard Hickman who is a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.   This coalition was formed back in 2006 to discuss strategies for stopping the flow of illegal guns into American cities.

"Unfortunately, this has gotten way out of hand," said Mayor Henry. "If you go out and buy an assault rifle, they're design to kill people, you don't hunt with assault rifles."

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is hosting events across the country to mark the one month anniversary of Newtown. In addition, a new national television ad has begun airing in the Fort Wayne market  focusing on gun reform.

"You shouldn't have to sit down and have that kind of talk with your grandchild about how you're doing everything you can to make it safe for them," Mayor Hickman said. "They should be able to go to school and have fund and learn."

Karen Freeman-Wilson, the mayor of Gary and Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan were unable to attend.  Both are also members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Henry called on Washington to support  gun reforms which include having every person who buys a gun pass a criminal background check, banning military-style assault weapons and ammunition magazines from our streets and making gun trafficking a federal crime.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is co-chaired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.