Statement of International Association of Chiefs of Police
In response to release of the Obama Administration’s gun violence reduction proposals, the International Association of Chiefs of Police released the following statement.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) commends President Obama and Vice President Biden for the comprehensive package of proposals they announced to combat gun violence. The IACP believes that the proposals and actions reflect an effective, balanced approach to addressing the plague of gun violence in our communities and nation. As this process moves forward, the IACP will continue to work with the Administration, members of Congress, and public safety leaders across the country to enact these much needed reforms.
For many years, the IACP has been a leading voice in efforts to reduce gun violence. Our membership was, and remains, a leading proponent of universal background checks for gun purchases, the ban on military style assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and ensuring that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has both a permanent director and sufficient resources to enforce our nation’s gun laws. The adoption of these, and other reasonable measures, will certainly assist in reducing the level of gun violence in our Nation.
The IACP is the world’s largest association of law enforcement executives. Founded in 1893, the IACP has over 21,000 members in 100 countries around the world. For more information on the IACP’s positions and work on gun violence issues, please visit http://www.theiacp.org/...
This came to my attention via an email I received from the NOPD's public service office, a statement from the NOLA Chief of Police. By the way, in case you didn't know, NOLA has one of the highest rates of gun injury in the US. Here's what the Chief had to say...
Chief Serpas Supports President’s Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence
Today Superintendent Ronal Serpas endorsed President Obama’s latest initiative to reduce gun violence. At a news conference this afternoon, Serpas, who is the Third Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), said that the IACP, which represents more than 21,000 worldwide members, supports the President’s plan because it’s a common sense approach to better protecting children in schools as well as the general public from those among us who have no business carrying and using firearms.
“This plan announced today would ban military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines. These types of weapons are specifically designed to kill mass numbers of people. I don’t know of any police chief in America who could object to that proposal”, said Superintendent Serpas.
“The President’s initiative would also get rid of all bullets that are capable of piercing law enforcement officers’ body armor, a critically important issue for police,” Serpas said. And it would help raise the bar in school safety practices, as well as invest more in the mental health industry.
“Finally, it would end the freeze on gun violence research, which would enable us- as a nation- to know more about the culture of gun violence, why it perpetuates, and what we can do to curb it.”
“A recent study by the IACP shows that since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, more than 300,000 Americans have been killed by guns. New Orleans has a population of 360,000. These incredibly high numbers put things into perspective, and their proximity should be startling to us all”, Serpas said.
So, while there are some private citizens and some law enforcement folks who are claiming that they will not support and will actively oppose President Obama's initiatives, there are 21,000 police chiefs and other police command officers who support the President fully.
Cheers.