Mpls-Issues tip: PLEASE trim/cut the previous message that you are responding to. The redundant characters make it harder for Digest readers to read and it needlessly lengthens download times. ----------- The news releases below details the news conference held Thursday morning by Mayor Sayles Belton, Council Member Kathy Thurber, and Police Chief Robert Olson to rally opposition for the concealed weapons bill currently making its way through the state legislature. Representatives from the Million Mom March and Citizens for a Safer Minnesota were also present. Mayor Sayles Belton speaks against handgun bill with City Council Member Kathy Thurber and Police Chief Robert Olson Representatives from Million Mom March and Citizens for a Safer Minnesota also join Mayor May 10, 2001 (Minneapolis, MN)-Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton today denounced the concealed handgun bill currently making its way through the state legislature. Joining the Mayor were City Council Member Kathy Thurber, who is head of the Council's Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Minneapolis Police Chief Robert Olson. Representatives of the Minneapolis Police Department, the Million Mom March and Citizens for a Safer Minnesota were also present. Currently, the bill (H.F. 1360) has passed the House of Representatives, and is expected to be amended onto a State Senate bill (S.F. 1481), which deals with shooting sports programs. It is likely the Senate will vote on the bill next week. If it becomes law, the bill would make it possible for virtually anyone aged 21 and over to legally carry a concealed handgun. "This means thousands of people could carry concealed weapons anywhere, including places such as churches, hospitals, childcare centers, bars and restaurants," said Mayor Sayles Belton. "The law would also take away the discretion that police chiefs and country sheriffs currently have in granting concealed weapons permits. "Parents, consider what this means to your children as they wait for the school bus, walk to a friend's house, attend childcare or school, or play at the park," said the Mayor. "How many lives will be cut short because of this senseless legislation?" "We suffered the effects of so-called 'concealed' weapons in our neighborhoods not so long ago," said Council Member Thurber. "Crime is at a 34-year low in Minneapolis, and we like it that way. Anything that promotes more guns in our community is irresponsible. More guns, legal or not, simply increase the chances of violence and accidental death." "I cannot believe that the City of Minneapolis will be a safer place because more citizens are carrying concealed weapons," said Police Chief Olson. "We have had significant crime reductions without more instruments of violence, it just doesn't make any sense." Each hour guns kill four people in America and each day guns kills a dozen children. In 1997, there were 32,436 firearm-related deaths in America. In Minnesota, approximately 350 people die from firearms each year. Last year, the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support issued a report called "Aiming for a Safe City: Reducing Gun Tragedies in Minneapolis." This report identified gun violence as a major public health concern. The report found that in Minneapolis: * Gun violence is the leading cause of death for young African American males ages 15-24. * An average of one resident per week dies from suicide and firearms are used in 60% of all suicides. * Gun violence carries a large financial burden. Annually it costs nearly $3.5 million to treat people in Minneapolis injured by firearms, over half of which is paid for by taxpayers or through uncompensated care in the hospital. "We do not need more guns on the street - we need to keep this bill from becoming law," said the Mayor. "I urge everyone who is concerned about public safety to call, write or email their state Senator today. Write letters to the editor. Express your outrage. Do everything you can to prevent this bill from becoming law. Your safety, your children's safety may depend on it." Ann Freeman Communications Director Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (612) 673-2156 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
