Mayors Against Illegal Guns to Release Congressional Scorecard

The Mayors Against Illegal Guns campaign today announced it would create a scorecard for members on Congress based on gun policy votes.

The coalition, which was created in 2006 and is co-chaired by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, will now assign a letter grade to all members of Congress for their stances on gun control.

“For too long, the only voice that has been loud enough to influence Congress has been the Washington gun lobby’s – that’s how we’ve ended up with ineffective gun laws that have fueled our country’s gun violence epidemic,” Bloomberg said. “It’s time for Congress to take action to save lives and protect our communities.”

The scorecard will draw on committee and floor votes, bill co-sponsorships, public statements and other sources, so that voters know their elected officials’ positions on gun control.

Congressional members will be graded on their votes pertaining to the national instant criminal background check system, state authority to establish permitting standards for concealed weapons, assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition magazines and federal gun trafficking laws.

The coalition’s announcement has been released as the Senate considers legislation that would require background checks for all commercial gun sales.