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Area mayors back from D.C.
Area mayors back from D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WITI) -- Three mayors from southeastern Wisconsin were among nearly 300 mayors in Washington, D.C. this week to discuss gun violence and how to prevent mass shootings.
Racine Mayor John Dickert said about 280 mayors discussed the different ingredients needed to put together a solution to gun violence.
"The time for talk is over. We have to start working on this issue. We have to start looking at the issues of background checks," Mayor Dickert said.
The specific issue resonates with Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto. In October, Radcliffe Haughton shot three women to death and wounded four others at the Azana Salon & Spa. He was specifically ordered not to have a gun, but bought one through a private online sale.
"That wasn't subject to a background check. I think most of us would want to have people have some kind of criminal background check before they go ahead and acquire a gun," Mayor Ponto said.
Although Mayor Ponto said that's a good start, he was quick to say the discussion in D.C. should have been broader.
"There was some mention but the focus should also have been on mental health issues, mental health commitment procedures and I think the focus should've been on violence in entertainment," Mayor Ponto said.
Mayor Dickert says there is no simple solution but believes the conference was a success.
"What you found in that 280 or so mayors that came together was really a coordination and commitment to this issue," Mayor Dickert said.
Both mayors hope that this coordination leads to real change back home.