Northampton Mayor Thomas D. Reenock and Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. spent last Wednesday and Thursday in Washington D.C..

They joined mayors from across the country in a broad coalition to show opposition to illegal guns and support common sense proposals to prevent gun violence as "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" brought its campaign "Demand a Plan" to the nation's capital. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Easton Mayor Sal Panto and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter were among members of the Pennsylvania contingent.

More than 1,000 mayors met with senators and congress members, advocates and experts on the issue of gun violence, brought to the forefront by recent events in Newtown, Conn.

The hectic two-day schedule included presentations on topics such as "Policy Brief on Key Solutions to End Gun Violence in America."

Addressing Northampton Borough Council following his return from Washington, D.C., Reenock said, "We're not taking anybody's guns. It is about putting in a safety factor. It's a common sense safety agenda."

Hozza's and Reenock's schedules took them to the offices of Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey and Congressman Charlie Dent.

"I was with mayors from Michigan, California, Ohio, Delaware, Florida and New England," said Reenock.

The mayors' messages to Congress include requiring every gun buyer to pass a criminal-background check, making gun trafficking a federal crime and removing military-style assault weapons from the streets.

It was suggested Hozza and Reenock recruit other mayors from the Lehigh Valley and ask their councils and commissioners to pass a resolution, continue to meet with their Congressman and bring the issue to the media.