(WesternMass News-Maria Wilson – Lawmakers paying a visit to Springfield’s City Council meeting Monday night to discuss possible legislation to address violent repeat offenders.
City councilors and lawmakers agree more needs to be done when it comes to curb gun violence right here in Springfield.
Senator John Velis said this amendment isn’t about taking guns away from lawful gun owners instead seeking to prevent further harm by specifically targeting repeat offenders.
“This is not a Lavar problem, this is not a city of Springfield problem,” said Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce. “This is a entire country problem.”
State lawmakers spending the evening in Springfield Monday as they joined the city council to discuss possible resolutions amid the city’s ongoing gun violence crisis.
“We already know that Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of gun violence, but it doesn’t feel like that,” added Senator Adam Gomez.
Last year, the city of firsts saw a historic number of homicides.
In 2023, 29 people died at the hands of gun violence in Springfield alone.
“I hear from elderly saying they don’t feel safe.”
As the city continues to grapple with how to quell the violence, the city council voted to adopt resolutions right here in Springfield that are currently being discussed on Beacon Hill.
“We have to stop talking and really get into this action and make our city safe,” expressed Councilor Click-Bruce.
The resolution – based on a bi-partisan amendment aimed to get repeat offenders off the streets.
The legislation looks to ensure repeat violent offenders specifically those without a license to carry – are detained until trial.
“If we’re going to have an honest dialogue about firearms violence, we need to talk about prevention and it needs to start at a much younger age,” said Senator Velis.
Senator John Velis, who introduced the bill to the state’s Sentate, cited recent gun crimes in western mass…including the tragic death of a newborn baby who was killed in the crossfire in Holyoke last year.
“Absolutely heartbreaking,” expressed Senator Velis.
One of the suspects at the center of that case, was out on bail for an unrelated gun charge at the time of the murder.
“He had been arrested, a week prior,” noted Senator Velis. “I find that morally unconscionable.”
Many of the city councilors shared their own deeply personal connections with the issue, and said doing nothing isn’t an option.
Senator Velis’ amendment is part of the Senate’s final gun bill, which will now become part of the house-senate negotiations on a final bill compromise.
Editor’s Note: the story has been updated to reflect the number of homicides related to shooting for 2023.