Title
Be it resolved by the Council and the Mayor of the City of Columbus to strongly urge the U.S. Congress and President to reauthorize the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, originally passed and signed into law as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
Body
WHEREAS, before 1994, violent offenders had free access to military-style weapons such as UZIs and AK-47s for the commission of countless devastating crimes that threatened the peace of our nation's communities, the safety and security of citizens and of our nation's law enforcement personnel; and
WHEREAS, to help reduce crime involving such weapons Congress prohibited the sale of certain semi-automatic assault weapons and ammunition with passage of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, subsequently signed into law by the President; and
WHEREAS, studies show that the so-called Brady Bill has had a positive effect on reducing violent gun crime; and
WHEREAS, the assault weapons ban will expire on September 13, 2004 unless Congress and the President act to renew it; and
WHEREAS, major law enforcement organizations nationwide, including the Columbus Police department, are unanimous in their support for reauthorizing the assault weapons ban; and
WHEREAS, this Council took action with Resolution 96X earlier this year, joining the Mayor in urging the Ohio Legislature to expand the probation of concealed carry weapons to City parks and pools, and supports similar action by the federal government that makes our cities safer by keeping violent weapons from the hands of criminals; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council strongly urges the U.S. Congress and President to reauthorize the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, originally passed and signed into law as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.