Ad featuring father of Newtown victim released as officials push gun control reform

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The organization known as Mayors Against Illegal Guns released an ad Tuesday featuring the father of a 6-year-old boy who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

In the ad, which will air in Washington, D.C. and select states, Neil Heslin recalls his final moments with his son, Jesse. The ad calls for comprehensive background checks for all gun sales. Heslin finishes the ad by saying he'd feel like he was letting his son down by not speaking out for changes.

The emotional video was released on the same day the Mayors Against Illegal Guns announced plans to rate members of Congress and their records on gun policy.

The coalition announced Tuesday that they will consider votes and official activity in regards to firearms policy when assigning a letter grade to members of Congress.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns co-chairs, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Tom Menino, called on Congress to take to pass "common-sense reforms like background checks for all gun sales."

"We won't let the memory of Newtown fade – we demanded a plan and we got one; now we demand action from Congress," said Mayor Menino. "We'll be paying close attention to the upcoming votes because the sensible reforms on the table are the very solutions that will help save lives."

The coalition of mayors were not the only officials expected to call on Congress to pass gun legislation Tuesday. At 2 p.m., Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder were expected to hold a press conference to call on Congress to pass what they call "common-sense gun measures."

Cox Media Group