WHEREAS the President currently has the sole authority to launch a nuclear attack without any required consultation or any system of check and balances; and

WHEREAS the first use of nuclear weapons against any other nuclear-armed nation would result in retaliation and invite the near total destruction of, Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS a single nuclear detonation in Massachusetts would cause immense numbers of fatalities and injuries; and

WHEREAS the citizens of Massachusetts have the right to live a life free from the threat of the reckless use of nuclear weapons; and

WHEREAS use and detonation of even a small number of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic human, environmental and economic consequences globally – impacting everyone on the planet,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS that our congressional representatives should take all necessary steps to establish a system of check and balances with regard to the first use of nuclear weapons and to ensure that the President shall no longer have the sole and unchecked authority to launch nuclear weapons, except in circumstances of retaliation.