For Immediate Release:
June 21, 2022
For More Information:
Adam Garber, CeaseFirePA Education Fund Executive Director, (267) 515-1220, adam.garber@ceasefirepa.org
After Uvalde, Even More Pennsylvanians Want Stronger Gun Violence Prevention Laws & Gun Safety Legislators
Philadelphia — The first Pennsylvania poll on gun violence prevention since Uvalde revealed a deepening commitment to addressing this public health crisis among likely voters. The majority of likely voters (58%) are now more likely to support stronger gun safety laws after the mass shooting.
In partnership with GS Strategy Group (a Republican polling firm), Third Way think tank polled Pennsylvania voters to see what they think about the gun safety policy proposals reportedly under discussion by the bipartisan US Senate negotiators. The poll found a vast majority support a variety of policies, including “Red Flag” laws (79.9% support), raising the age for buying an assault weapon (78.5%), and Universal Background Checks (89.1%). This support remained strong for Red Flag laws even after opponents’ arguments were provided. And the poll showed that voters would be more likely to support Senator Toomey, if he were to run again, for supporting those laws.
Adam Garber, CeaseFirePA Education Fund’s Executive Director, issued the following statement:
“Pennsylvania elected officials’ first job is to ensure everyone is safe. This poll makes it clear that supporting gun violence prevention is not only an obligation, but is also good politics.
“This poll reveals that every day, more Pennsylvanians recognize the only way to end the stranglehold that gun extremists have on our legislators – which has allowed gun deaths to reach a historic high – is to vote their beliefs. And they are more willing to do so.
“Every day our elected officials refuse to act, 5 more Pennsylvanians die by firearm on average – the majority to suicide. The only way that will end is if we start reining in illegal firearm trafficking, provide tools to family members to save their loved ones from firearm suicide, and ensure weapons of war are no longer sold in the Commonwealth.”
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As the Commonwealth’s leading gun violence prevention organization, CeaseFirePA Education Fund works to ensure everyone can live a life free from gun violence. We organize with communities closest to the issue, hold those in power accountable, and maximize the strengths of every member in our broad coalition.
