Washington, U.S.A. — The National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, an alliance of nine major national police leadership organizations, announced its call for background checks for all firearms purchasers and a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines on July 27 at a news conference in Washington, DC. The group has been working with state law enforcement associations and leaders this summer in key states, pressing for expanded background checks for firearms purchasers and other public safety measures. But the Aurora theater shooting has intensified their calls for timely action.

“The nation is waiting for lawmakers to move beyond hand-wringing and shoulder-shrugging in response to these mass catastrophes,” said Hubert Williams, Chair of the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence and President of the Police Foundation. “These mass murders are neither acceptable, nor inevitable. There are numerous public safety initiatives – that are backed by the public and law enforcement – that will reduce the frequency and severity of this type of carnage. Our nation must establish as a top priority addressing this horrific gun violence that shatters our safety and security.”

The Partnership’s policy agenda includes background checks for all firearms purchasers and a limit on large-capacity ammunition magazines. The background check measure would complement the existing Brady Law, enacted in 1994, which established background checks for gun purchases at federally licensed gun dealers. But an estimated 40% of firearm transactions occur through non-dealers sales – leaving nearly half the firearm sales in the United States unregulated.

“Knowingly permitting four out of ten firearm sales to occur completely unregulated is irresponsible and counterproductive to public safety,” said James Johnson, incoming Chair, National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, and Chief of Police in Baltimore County, MD. “Police do our jobs everyday patrolling the streets and protecting the public while putting their own lives on the line. Law enforcement needs the support of our lawmakers to enact policies that will keep officers and the public safer.”

While the Aurora shooting suspect reportedly passed background checks in obtaining his firearms, Williams emphasized the importance and effectiveness of background checks in keeping guns from other dangerous people, stressing that nearly 2 million prohibited purchases were stopped between 1994 and 2009. He noted that background checks will help reduce gun violence that touches dozens of Americans every day.

“Gun violence is impacting us all,” Williams said. “In 2011, gunfire was the leading cause of death for police killed in the line of duty, surpassing motor vehicles for the first time in 14 years. Gun violence occurs day in and day out, claiming 34 Americans every single day.”

Background checks are overwhelmingly supported by the public – and gun owners themselves: 86% nationally, including 81% of gun owners, support background checks for all firearms purchasers, regardless of seller or venue.

The Partnership has been collaborating with law enforcement leadership organizations in key states to educate U.S. Senate candidates and the public, building bipartisan support to expand background checks to gun sales beyond licensed dealers. In Virginia and Wisconsin law enforcement leaders recently met with U.S. Senate candidates in private sessions specifically focused on gun violence, emphasizing the need for strengthened background checks.

The meetings were strictly educational in nature and candidates participated despite being told that there would be no endorsements made. The police leaders also held major press conferences in each state to publicize their calls for action.

Williams dismissed those saying action is impossible on gun issues, noting, that there were naysayers in the 80s and 90s when, “Law enforcement was pivotal in passing a string of federal gun laws:  the ban on cop-killer bullets; the ban on undetectable plastic guns; and the Brady Law requiring background checks for guns purchased through licensed dealers. We know that common sense can prevail.”

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Twenty-four-year old James Holmes, the suspect behind the Colorado theatre massacre, made an appearance before a Colorado court Monday. Holmes looked lost and disoriented during the brief hearing and his hair was notably dyed red, possibly to resemble the character “the Joker” from the batman comic book universe.

The gunman is suspected of killing 12 and injuring 58, including a six year old girl, during the premiere of the Dark knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado.

According to police reports, Holmes views himself as an arch-villain from the Batman mythology and told police upon his arrest that he was the joker. During the attack he was dressed all in black, wearing body armor and a gas mask, as well as additional body protection.

Police did also find Batman merchandize such as a batman poster and a batman mask in the Gunman’s home. The police also came across intricate booby traps in the third floor apartment, with a number of trip wires connected to 30 homemade grenades in addition to containers of acid and gasoline.

In the months prior to the attack, Holmes purchased a shotgun, two handguns and a semi automatic assault rifle with customized magazines such as a 100-round drum clip, body armor, a gas mask, as well as 6,000 rounds of ammunition. These facts have once again raised the highly sensitive question of gun laws in the US, especially regarding military weapons such as assault rifles.

A California Senator said in a Fox news interview Sunday that “Weapons of war don’t belong on the streets.” According to police, the massacre could have turned out even worse if it weren’t for the fact that the killer’s assault rifle jammed, forcing him to resort to his backup weapons. In the wake of the shooting, police found a 100 round drum clip on the floor which apparently caused the jam.

In a brief interview, the the 18^th Judicial District Attorney Carol Chambers  said that “The death penalty certainly will be considered in this case.” However, the big upcoming legal issue will be to resolve whether or not Holmes can be considered insane.

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