Gun violence: How Northeast governors think they can fight it together

ALBANY - A collective approach to fighting gun violence could help states in the Northeast, governors said Thursday.

Democratic governors of northeastern states announced they have formed a coalition, "States for Gun Safety," to work together in the battle against gun violence.

The governors of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut said they would sign a memorandum of understanding to develop ways the states can jointly address the scourge of illegal guns and develop shared law-enforcement efforts.

"What we are doing today is very different. We are saying we can’t wait for the federal government to act," Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said on a conference call with reporters.

"We have states with good intentions, with good laws. Let’s take it to the next level; Let’s work across our borders. Let’s not just advocate for better laws in our state, but let’s advocate for better laws in our region."

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The governors said that each state's efforts to fight gun violence would be bolstered by a broad approach among the states, saying they can share data on suspects and on gun purchases.

The announcement comes after the deadly shooting this month at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said she watched the CNN town hall on Wednesday night with her 13-year-old daughter, who implored her to act.

"My daughter kept asking me, as she has over the last week: 'Mom, what are you going to do about it?'" Raimondo said.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the states can help address gun violence in the Northeast without having to rely on Washington to act. 

But he added, "We must continue to hold Congress’ feet to the fire" to address gun violence.

Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the National Rifle Association, blasted Democrats as "European-style socialists," saying, “As usual the opportunists wasted not one second to exploit tragedy for gain."

LaPierre, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Committee conference on Thursday, mentioned several Democrats by name, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Cuomo responded in a statement that if LaPierre "is attacking you, you know you're doing something right. I am proud of my F rating from the NRA."

Cuomo, who has said he owns a shotgun, added, "As a father and a gun owner, I think it would be nice if the NRA listened to the millions of children across this country who are asking the president and the GOP Congress to stop this senseless gun violence."

Speaking with the other governors, Cuomo said states can be limited by their borders when it comes to gun control, saying they should be able to share databases and intelligence to keep their states safer.

"We’re not waiting for federal action. All of the states are already ahead of the federal government," said Cuomo, a potential presidential candidate in 2020.

Cuomo pointed to New York's SAFE Act, which passed in 2013 after the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. He said the gun-control law has led to a database of 77,000 mentally ill people who should not have guns.

Cuomo blasted President Donald Trump's consideration of having teachers armed in schools, saying that is exactly what the NRA wants.

"President Trump has pledged allegiance to the NRA," Cuomo charged, adding, "The goal is to not make schools armed camps."

JSpector@Gannett.com

Joseph Spector is chief of USA TODAY Network's Albany Bureau.