Mayors urge citizens to press Congress on gun laws

BOSTON (AP) -- Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and 14 others from across Massachusetts are joining to encourage citizens to press Congress to take action against gun violence.

The mayors, members of the national Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition, have released a public service announcement to local over-the-air broadcast media and local access cable companies. Their video is also posted on YouTube: Mayors Demand Action to End Gun Violence.

Menino said there's wide support for background checks for gun buyers and what he calls "other common sense reforms," and the mayors are urging citizens to demand that Congress act to protect their communities and children.

Mayors taking part are from the greater Boston area, along with Beverly, Fitchburg, Salem and Lowell.

Menino and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are co-chairmen of the bipartisan organization started in 2006.