Rybak in D.C. to support, lobby for Obama's proposals on gun reform [UPDATE, PHOTOS]

By Olivia LaVecchia Wed., Jan. 16 2013 at 2:27 PM

via @MayorRTRybak

Rybak takes the podium at Wednesday evening's Mayors against Illegal Guns press conference

When Obama announced his gun law reform agenda this morning, R.T. Rybak was at the White House.

The Minneapolis mayor, who co-hosted a Regional Gun Summit here just last week, is in D.C. for the day to lobby in support of the president's proposal.

See Also:
- Andy Parrish says he has "no intention of abiding" by Obama's proposed gun restrictions
- Cover: Youth violence in Minneapolis: The fuzzy math behind the city's struggle to curb the crime wave

"As mayor of a community that has witnessed far too much gun violence, I'm deeply thankful to President Obama for his courage, which will make all communities safer," Rybak said in a statement. "I'm especially encouraged by the President's proposal to eliminate barriers on the ability of federal and local law enforcement to work together to solve gun crimes and trace where illegal guns come from."
Based on the mayor's tweets, sounds like the day is going well:

Btwn President Obama's Executive Orders, Pelosi's Hearing on Gun Violence, & the Mayors Against Illegal Guns summit, progress is being made
-- Mayor R.T. Rybak (@MayorRTRybak) January 16, 2013

With Miya Rahamin and Congressman Ellison at Leader Nancy Pelosi's Hearing on Gun Violence in Washington. twitter.com/MayorRTRybak/s...
-- Mayor R.T. Rybak (@MayorRTRybak) January 16, 2013

At the White House today supporting POTOS gun proposals. Soon to lobby congress for common sense gun-reform tinyurl.com/bhk33tx
-- Mayor R.T. Rybak (@MayorRTRybak) January 16, 2013

Let's do the right thing twitter.com/MayorRTRybak/s...
-- Mayor R.T. Rybak (@MayorRTRybak) January 16, 2013

Big crowd gathering for Pres O announcement .... twitter.com/MayorRTRybak/s...
-- Mayor R.T. Rybak (@MayorRTRybak) January 16, 2013

Entering White House to hear Pres Obama's plan to limit gun violence. On behalf of far too many people grieving, I thank him for courage
-- Mayor R.T. Rybak (@MayorRTRybak) January 16, 2013

On Wednesday evening, Rybak joined 50 of his fellow Mayors Against Illegal Guns, as well as police chiefs and a victim of the Sandy Hook shooting, in a press conference to speak about the need for reform. (Duluth's and St. Paul's mayors are also members of the coalition, along with pretty much everyone else, from New Orleans to Atlanta to Madison to L.A.).

courtesy Rybak's office

Here's another shot of Rybak at the presser, at left

While this particular issue hits close to home for Rybak, he's no stranger to supporting Obama's initiatives; as recently as November, he was in the capital to talk fiscal cliff business.

Last month, Rybak announced he won't seek a fourth term in the mayor's office, which means that whether or not he'll opt to start spending time in D.C. on a more regular basis is anyone's guess.

Here are a few photos from last week's Regional Gun Summit, which Rybak hosted with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett:

courtesy Rybak's office

St. Paul Police Chief Thomas Smith, next to Mpls's new police chief and Rybak

courtesy Rybak's office

Four regional mayors gather with three police chiefs and Sami Rahamim, the son of Accent Signage shooting victim Reuven Rahamim

courtesy Rybak's office

From left, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, Washington County Attorney Pete Orput, U.S. Attorney James Santelle, the St. Paul and Mpls police chiefs, Rybak, Barett, and Milwaukee's police chief

Tags:

Barack Obama, Gun Reform, Gun Violence, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, R.T. Rybak, White House

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Kevin Green

Boehner must be just fucking jubliant laughing smiling Probably guffawing slapping his leg saying thank you God Thank you ! There is a GOD !

Kevin Green

I voted for Odumbo I was lied to. I was betrayed for my vote. Lifetime democrat here... and they had it all until this. Why oh why did you throw it away ? All you had to do was leave it alone where it belongs. we already have 250,000 gun laws on the books. But you got a big head job evidently went to your head. You threw it all away ruined it for the rest of the democrats with your little hidden agenda WHY?

MicheleBachmann topcommenter

@Kevin Green Everyone knows the entire Republican base is made up of stupid fat old white people like you Kevin so no one believes your lies.

Kevin Green

What a GREAT gift from Obama to the Republicans ! Just when they thought they were finished as a party. Way to go Odumbo ! You have just ruined the Democratic party. It had to have been on purpose also because nobody is that stupid. How much did Boehner pay you ?

Patrick Murphy

I can haz guns?

Joe Struss

I dont know how many voted he is worried about losing. You can only serve as President for two consecutive terms, Kev.

Nick Goers

Stay there with your liberal ideas and ideas of taking rights away from UNITED STATES citizens!

Nathan Dally

Let me know when he does something that even resembles coming after our guns.

Joey LeMay

I'll see your Rybak and give you this Ryback: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V90ptrnl78M/T_rMy9kf37I/AAAAAAAAAl0/iFkTNzNkg7M/s1600/Ryback-wallpaper+%285%29.jpg

Kevin Green

Obama just lost a lot of votes for alot of democrats. We cannot take the chance of giving a democratic majority to either the house or congress now. On a federal or state level. It has just swung back to a Republican President in the next election also. He promised that "he was not coming after your guns" to get re elected. This either had been the plan all along or a not too well thought out rushed thru knee jerk reaction .Which is it Obama? Again the same age old question for those who attempt to deceive us " Do you want us to think you are dishonest or do you just expect us to believe you are stupid? While it is we that are stupid.... for trusting you.