Newton Mayor Leads Movement Backing Enforcement of Assault Weapons Ban

NEWTON, MA – Newton Mayor Setti Warren is spearheading a coalition of 19 Massachusetts mayors in support of Attorney General Maura Healey's enforcement of the state's assault weapons ban.

The mayors previously signed a letter backing Healey, and on Thursday, the mayors of Salem, Lawrence, Medford, Holyoke, North Adams and Newburyport joined Warren on a conference call to discuss the importance of upholding the current legislation.

A veteran of the war in Iraq, Warren spoke about carrying an assault weapon during his tour and understanding its lethality.

"I saw firsthand how explosive and destructive these weapons can be," Warren said. "These types of weapons do not belong on any of our streets in Massachusetts."

In 1998, Massachusetts lawmakers approved legislation banning the sale of assault weapons in the state; however, manufacturers and dealers can make modifications to the guns to circumvent their classification as an "assault weapon," a practice Healey's initiative is focused on curbing.

"Gun manufacturers still sell copycat weapons with small modifications that do nothing to diminish the lethality of weapons," Warren said.

The mayors emphasized that Healey's office is enforcing existing laws, not creating new ones, and cracking down on gun manufacturers and dealers.

The campaign will not, Warren said, apply to buyers who purchased their weapons on or before July 20.

"The attorney general has been very clear that she's not taking away anyone's guns," Warren said.

According to Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, support for the attorney general is an opportunity for the state's leaders to remain unified in a polarized political climate.

"Given the carelessness that certain candidates have begun to talk about violence, Massachusetts should stand above the rest," Rivera said.

The mayors said the attorney general's office is willing to work with gun manufacturers to ensure compliance with the current laws and will not rush to punishment.

"If you’re trying to get around the law, you should face penalties that are on the books as far as the statute is concerned," Warren said. "We're asking just to abide by the law."

The following mayors signed the letter in support of Healey's enforcement:

Mayor Setti D. Warren, Newton
Mayor Richard Alcombright, North Adams
Mayor Ted Bettencourt, Peabody
Mayor Stephanie Burke, Medford
Mayor Bill Carpenter, Brockton
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Somerville
Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Everett
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Salem
Mayor Scott Galvin, Woburn
Mayor Donna D. Holaday, Newburyport
Mayor Edward J. Kennedy, Lowell
Mayor Jonathan F. Mitchell, New Bedford
Mayor Alex B. Morse, Holyoke
Mayor David J. Narkewicz, Northampton
Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Worcester
Mayor Daniel Rivera, Lawrence
Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Cambridge
Mayor Linda Tyer, Pittsfield
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Boston

>>>Photo: Setti Warren (Flickr: desk) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons