The Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition held its first National Summit last week in Washington, attended by 54 mayors from around the country. The bi-partisan coalition met to discuss the issue of illegal guns plaguing American cities.

New York City Mayor Bloomberg speaks at 2007 National Summit of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition, surrounded by other mayors in the coalition.

Building on the Statement of Principles developed at the first Summit held in April 2006 in New York City, the mayors discussed the importance of gun trace data, joint lobbying against harmful federal legislation, cutting-edge policing strategies, and the unique initiatives being undertaken by mayors across the country on this issue.

At the Summit, the mayors also heard the results of a new, bipartisan national poll that shows strong support for tougher enforcement of existing gun laws and common sense provisions to prevent and solve crimes, including access to and use of trace data from gun sales. Here are some of the findings:

• 58% of Americans are very concerned about gun violence, compared with 56% that were very concerned about the quality of public schools and 47% about illegal immigration.
• 82% of Americans favor either tougher enforcement of existing laws or tough new laws -- while only 14 percent of Americans think that we have too many gun laws and that some should be repealed. The numbers are similar when restricted to gun owners: 76% favor tougher/enforce existing, while only 20% of gun owners say we have too many.
• 92% of Americans favor background checks for all people purchasing guns. 80% strongly favor! 89% favor requiring all people who sell guns, including at gun shows, to conduct criminal background checks of the people buying guns (this includes 86% of gun owners).

The Mayors also announced that a bi-partisan Congressional Task Force on Illegal Guns is being created led by Congressmen Charles Rangel (D-NY), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Peter King (R-NY) and Mark Kirk (R-IL). The Task Force will work to enact common sense measures to stem the flow of illegal guns and provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to combat illegal guns. Their top priority is opposing the Tiahrt amendment, which restricts cities' access to, and use of, gun trace data.

"The fight against illegal guns reaches beyond the borders of any single city or state," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "It's our hope that our partners in the new Congressional Task Force will help get Congress to move forward and support common sense measures that empower -- not hinder -- law enforcement and the efforts of these mayors to protect their residents."

"Illegal gun violence is an epidemic sweeping across this country, causing senseless tragedy every day," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. "As mayors, we are united by a common mission to save lives and make our cities safe -- but we can't do it alone. Mayors need partners and that is why we are here today: to work with Congress in a bipartisan way to address the issue of illegal guns."

"There are too many guns in our city, in our state and in our country," Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said. "Month after month our police officers seize record amounts of guns from our streets and month after month more guns show up in our city. This is a national problem that must be addressed at a national level."

For more information you can go to the Mayors Against Illegal Guns website.