Props To Obama, Mayors On Gun-Related Health Measures

It would be tragic if GOP senators were able to block anti-gun violence measures as reasonable and non-controversial as universal gun purchase background checks, but several US lawmakers are threatening to hold up an array of gun violence prevention measures, reports The Washington Post:

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), widely viewed as a 2016 presidential contender, announced Thursday that he was joining three other Senate GOP conservatives — Ted Cruz (Texas), Mike Lee (Utah) and Rand Paul (Ky.) — in threatening to filibuster Democratic gun-control legislation.

President Obama's top anti-gun violence proposal since the Newtown, Conn. shootings has been universal background checks for purchasers - - an idea with widespread backing, the Post says:

He focused particular attention on background checks, his top priority and by far the most popular of the proposals. Public polls suggest that as many as nine out of 10 Americans support the idea.

“Right now, 90 percent of Americans — 90 percent — support background checks,” Obama said. “How often do 90 percent of Americans agree on anything? It never happens.”

Obama's proposals have grassroots support and are backed by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, an organization created by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that is waging a TV campaign for reasonable anti-gun violence solutions, and is functioning as a counter-weight to the NRA.

These are public health matters, as well as crime and violence issues, too.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is a founding member, according to a City Health Department posting:

In 2006, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and 14 others founded Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) to reduce illegal guns and gun violence in urban areas through education, legislation and coordination between government and community entities. Today, more than 620 mayors participate in the nationwide, non-partisan coalition. Mayors are one of the central figures in protecting residents and families from harm and finding innovative ways to promote public safety.