WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) stood with members of the bi-partisan group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Members of Congress and other crime fighters on Capitol Hill today to call for the repeal of the Tiahrt Amendment.  The Amendment limits the ability of law enforcement officials to have access to gun trace data, critical information, needed to effectively fight crime. Revoking the Tiahrt Amendment would allow the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives-which traces firearms across the country- to share its information with local investigators giving them the tools required to successfully safeguard their citizens.

“As gun violence spirals out of control in Philadelphia, with more than 200 homicides already this year, police in our city and law enforcement across the nation need every tool at their disposal to crush the trade in illegal weapons. I want to thank Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Mayor Thomas Menino for spearheading the battle to wipe out the Tiahrt Amendment,” said Fattah.

The House Appropriations Committee will vote this week on the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies bill which includes the Tiahrt Amendment. Congressman Fattah, a member of the Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee handling the bill will support a motion to strike the Amendment from the legislation.

“I can not, I will not, support an amendment that so blatantly handcuffs the police in their fight to prevent the killing and maiming of our nation’s mothers, fathers and children,” said Fattah.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is made up of more than 225 mayors in over 40 states and is headed by  Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Menino. Congressman Fattah is an active member of the organization.