Amendment to restrict trackingof illegal gun traffic taken out of budget deal

by David Safier

We've heard the attack on Planned Parenthood was removed from the budget deal, but removing the Boren Amendment, which would have restricted the budget for the ATF to "track and curb illegal trafficking of assault rifles at the U.S. border with Mexico" has gotten less press.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2011

STATEMENTS OF MAYORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS CO-CHAIRS MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND MAYOR THOMAS M. MENINO ON THE EXCLUSION OF THE BOREN AMENDMENT FROM THE FEDERAL BUDGET

Statement of New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

           “We congratulate President Obama and Congress for opposing a misguided budget policy rider that would have deliberately undermined the law enforcement agency charged with fighting illegal trafficking of assault rifles into Mexico.  ATF is already chronically underfunded and has been without a confirmed director since 2006 as a result of inaction by past sessions of Congress.   We welcome this sign that leaders in Washington may be ready to step up and help law enforcement save lives.”

Statement of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino

           “We were pleased to see that the White House and Congress heeded the call of the bipartisan Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition and rejected budget restrictions on a program the ATF specifically requested to track and curb illegal trafficking of assault rifles at the U.S.
border with Mexico.  We will continue to fight any attempt to include these restrictions in any future legislation.”

Contact:          Mayor Bloomberg’s Press Office                       (212) 788-2958
                       Mayor Menino’s Press Office                           (617) 635-4461