Mayors join national call to end gun violence

Associated Press

Updated: Jan 14, 2013 3:42 PM

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana mayors are calling on leaders in Washington to help end gun violence.

Mayors Dick Hickman of Angola and Tom Henry of Fort Wayne joined public safety officials Monday at a press conference as part of an effort by Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The gun-control advocacy group was formed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Calls to end gun violence have increased since a Dec. 14 shooting at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school left 20 first-graders and six adults dead.

Hickman tells The Herald Republican that he favors criminal background checks for gun buyers and supports bans on military-style assault weapons and ammunition magazines. He says gun trafficking should be a federal crime.

Mayors in Bloomington, Gary and Muncie also support the effort.

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