Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is believed to be the first mayor to interview gun manufacturers on questions of social responsibility before granting weapons contracts. (Credit: Facebook.com/steven.fulop)
Local news
A New Jersey mayor is compelling gun manufacturers bidding for gun and ammunition contracts with the city police to answer questions on gun safety in what is believed to be the first such move in the nation. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said Wednesday that answering questions about social responsibility is now part of the bidding process. The revised bid specifications include six questions intended to gauge the gun manufacturer’s responsibility to public safety, according to city documents. The answers will impact the firm’s competitiveness, Fulop said. Refusal to answer the questions will deem their proposals incomplete. The six questions are: “What do you do to combat illegal gun trafficking and illegal gun crime? Do you manufacturer and sell assault weapons for civilian use? Do you agree not to sell certain models of firearms for civilian use? Are you requiring your dealers to conduct background checks? Do you fund research related to gun violence and smart gun technology? Will you commit to prohibiting your brand name from being used in violent video games?” An admitted gun control advocate who also happens to have military background, Fulop said he hopes to make Jersey City a national example for other cities.
