Fulton BOC Chair Supports Ban On Assault-Style Weapons

ATLANTA, GA — Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts will introduce legislation on Wednesday, March 7 calling upon state and federal officials to ban the sale of assault weapons and tighten restrictions on gun sales.

“I am calling on my fellow elected officials to join me in fighting back against the public threat of assault weapons,” Pitts said in a statement. “Children are dying and we have done nothing to stop it.”

Pitts' resolution petitions state and federal officials to ban the sale of assault-style weapons; increase the minimum age for all gun sales to 21; end the sale of bump stocks and high-capacity magazines; tighten restrictions for those with mental illness seeking to buy guns; and strengthen background checks and create a universal database of those banned from buying weapons

Pitts is also asking businesses and individuals selling guns to voluntarily follow these same restrictions. He applauded this week’s announcements by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart, two of the nation’s largest gun sellers, who are already making changes to their firearms sales policies.

“We have a real opportunity to reduce gun violence and prevent mass killings,” the commission chairman said. “This is a time for leaders in government and business to come together for action. Young people are watching and waiting.”

Gun violence poses a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of Fulton County residents. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 9 mass shootings in Georgia in 2017, defined as a shooting in which more than two people were killed or injured. Four of these shootings occurred in Fulton County. Nationwide, the most current available data from the CDC shows that gun-related deaths are on the rise, with more deaths in 2017 than in 2016.

Tell us: what do you think about Pitts' proposed legislation?

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