TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution in support of President Barack Obama's executive actions to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.
DISCUSSION
On Tuesday, January 5th President Sarack Obama presented his Executive Action on his plan to fight the tragic gun violence that is happening across American communities. He presented distinct ways for preventative measures to reduce gun violence in all of our neighborhoods.
Gun Violence in America Statistics:
• More than 30,000 gun deaths occur in America each year
• More than 20,000 children under the age of 18 are killed by firearms over the last decade
• In 2014, more than 1,800 children under 18 were killed by a firearm
Citation:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/01/04/live-updates-what-president-doing-keep-guns-outwrong-hands.
Attachment:
Proposed resolution language obtained from www.whitehouse.gov.
Attachment for Resolution to Support President Obama's Executive Actions to Reduce GunViolence
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE
WHEREAS, In 2014 the City of Long Beach had the lowest violent crime rate in 42 years, but there are still too many residents who are victims of gun violence. Reflecting a statewide and national trend Long Beach saw an increase in violent crimes in 2015. In 2015 there were nearly 300 shootings that were reported.
WHEREAS, President Obama's Executive Action to reduce gun violence include three main actions; and
• The first action is to keep guns out of the wrong hands through backgrounds checks that would include: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is making clear that it doesn't matter where you conduct your business-from a store, at gun shows, or over the Internet: If you're in the business of selling firearms, you must get a license and conduct background checks.
• ATF is finalizing a rule to require background checks for people trying to buy some of the most dangerous weapons and other items through a trust, corporation, or other legal entity.
• Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has sent a letter to States highlighting the importance of receiving complete criminal history records and criminal dispositions, information on persons disqualified because of a mental illness, and qualifying crimes of domestic violence.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is overhauling the background check system to make it more effective and efficient. The envisioned improvements include processing background checks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and improving notification of local authorities when certain prohibited persons unlawfully attempt to buya gun. The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help process these background checks; and
WHEREAS, the second action is to make our communities safer from gun violence:
• The Attorney General convened a call with U.S. Attorneys around the country to direct federal prosecutors to continue to focus on smart and effective enforcement of our gun laws.
• The President's FY2017 budget will include funding for 200 new ATF agents and investigators to help enforce our gun laws.
• ATF has established an Internet Investigation Center to track illegal online firearms trafficking and is dedicating $4 million and additional personnel to enhance the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network.
• ATF is finalizing a rule to ensure that dealers who ship firearms notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen in transit.
• The Attorney General issued a memo encouraging every U.S. Attorney's Office to renew domestic violence outreach efforts; and
WHEREAS, the third action is to increase mental health treatment and reporting to the background check system:
• The President has directed the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security to conduct or sponsor research into gun safety technology
• The President has also directed the departments to review the availability of smart gun technology on a regular basis, and to explore potential ways to further its use and development to more broadly improve gun safety; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Long Beach recognizes the importance to public safety and violence prevention that the President's executive actions will be a supplement to the current efforts to reduce crime by the Long Beach Police Department, Fire Department and other first-aid responders;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Long Beach resolves as follows:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Long Beach declares support for President Barack Obama's executive action to reduce gun violence.
Proposed resolution language obtained from www.whitehouse.gov.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMAN, EIGHTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
COUNCILMEMBER, NINTH DISTRICT