Aiming to crack down on gun violence, two groups join forces in Philly, 9 other cities

Two groups are joining forces to reinforce their push for changes in gun laws to stem a national tide of violence. 

Philadelphia hosted one of 10 events across the country Wednesday to announce that Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will team up to create Everytown for Gun Safety.

The group wants to send a message to Congress that more gun regulation is necessary, Mayor Michael Nutter said.

“I respect the Second Amendment, but I also believe that I have a First Amendment right not to be shot,” he said. “The only thing our children should be ducking in the street is a ball, not bullets.”

Deb Marteslo of Moms Demand Action says no one is expecting the new group to move mountains.

“As mothers, we can’t expect change to happen overnight,” she said. “And that’s why moms everywhere in this country are working to change laws, state by state and city by city, until Washington finally listens to what everybody is telling them.”

Every 15 days, 435 people are shot in the United States, Nutter said, noting that’s the same number of the U.S. House members who could start the change in gun laws.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has pledged $50 million to Everytown for Gun Safety. The organization of about 1.5 million intends to lobby for gun law changes the National Rifle Association lobbies against.