Mayor Signs Letter Urging Washington To Take Action Against Gun Violence

Martinez Mayor Rob Schroder has put his name alongside 750 other mayors on a letter urging Congress and the White House to take action to end gun violence in the country.

The letter was written by the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns and was sent to President Obama today in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting last week.

In the letter, the group urges the White House and Congress to require all gun owners to pass a criminal background check, remove high capacity weapons from the streets and make gun trafficking a federal crime.

It also urges the president to appoint an ATF director and prosecute people who try to purchase firearms when they know they aren't eligible to do so.

You can read the entire letter here.

Schroder said he has been a member of the group for more than five years. He also owns three rifles and a handgun.

He said he signed the letter because he likes the comprehensive approach of limiting guns as well as enforcing existing laws.

"They're not just looking at legislation. They're looking at core issues," he said.

Schroder said he also communicated today with Congressmen George Miller of Martinez and Mike Thompson of St. Helena to support their efforts to quell gun violence. Today, Thompson was named as the head of a gun violence task force.

At tonight's Martinez City Council meeting, Schroder said he plans to ask his fellow council members to also support Miller and Thompson.