Koutoujian Attends White House Press Conference on Gun Violence

Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian was in Washington, D.C. Tuesday to attend a White House press conference calling for legislative action on Capitol Hill to reduce gun violence, according to a press statement.

Koutoujian joined law enforcement leaders from across the nation as Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder called for common-sense measures to be enacted by Congress to reduce gun violence, according to the statement. Joining the sheriff at the press conference from Middlesex County were Natick Police Chief James Hicks, Framingham Police Chief Steven Carl and Medford Police Chief Leo Sacco, Jr. and Brookline Police Chief Daniel C. O’Leary, according to the statement.

“It was an honor to join my colleagues as the Vice President and the Attorney General called on Congress to act,” Koutoujian said in the statement. “I believe the common-sense measures offered by President Obama – including requiring background checks for all gun purchases – will make a significant impact toward reducing the incidents of gun violence in this country.”

“I was particularly touched today by Vice President Biden’s story of meeting Tuesday morning with family members of the victims of the Newtown tragedy,” said Koutoujian. “It was an emotional reminder that behind the talking points and the partisan rhetoric there are people whose lives have been changed forever by gun violence.”

Koutoujian previously called for new research on the causes of gun violence and legislation addressing gun trafficking and so-called straw purchasers, according to the statement. Formerly a leader in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on health issues, Koutoujian has also joined President Obama in calling for increased mental health services nationwide – focusing on early screening for students and young adults, reads the statement.

Since January, Sheriff Koutoujian has moderated gun violence prevention forums organized by grassroots organizations in Watertown and at Lincoln-Sudbury High School, reads the statement. Those forums focused on ways reduce the incidents of gun-related deaths, the statement adds.

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• Koutoujian to Attend White House Conference on Gun Violence