This morning, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski joined 213 other members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in signing a letter that asks the United States Senate leadership to take immediate action on bipartisan gun safety legislation.  

The letter (https://bit.ly/2YLJrhR) urges Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to call Senate members back to Washington for votes on H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019 and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019.

“Quick passage of these bills is a critical step to reducing gun violence in our country,” the U.S Conference of Mayors letter states, noting the 250 mass shootings that have occurred across this year.

H.R. 8 would establish new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties, and H.R. 1112 would strengthen the background check procedures. Both bills have been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Feeling safe in your community should be a right in this country, not a privilege,” Mayor Biskupski said. “We have to work together to ensure that Washington takes immediate and meaningful action to ensure the safety of the people they represent.”

Mayor Biskupski is also encouraging Salt Lake City residents to write Utah’s Republican senators Mike Lee and Mitt Romney to ask them to vote for the legislation.

“Remember: they work for you,” she said.