April 17, 2013

GOV. MALLOY JOINS WITH GOVERNORS CUOMO & O'MALLEY IN URGING U.S. SENATE TO EXPAND BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR FIREARM PURCHASES

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today joined with New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley in writing a letter to all of the members of the U.S. Senate, urging them to vote for legislation that enhances federal background checks on potential purchasers of firearms.

"The American people are clear on this issue - more than 90% support background checks prior to gun purchases. They understand that if you can't pass a background check, you should not be able to buy a gun. We stand with them, and we urge you to do the same," the three governors wrote, calling the proposed amendment that was introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) a first step to address gun violence.

The governors said that while their respective states have enacted legislation addressing gun violence prevention, individual states' laws alone are insufficient to systemically address gun violence on a national basis and federal action is needed.

"Without federal action, our citizens are only as safe as the state with the weakest gun laws," they wrote. "We need the federal government to take the lead and enact reasonable laws to reduce gun violence by, at a minimum, ensuring that more gun purchasers pass a federal background check."

**Download: Governors Cuomo, Malloy and O'Malley's letter to the members of the U.S. Senate

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For Immediate Release: April 17, 2013

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