For Immediate Release:
June 23, 2022
For More Information:
Adam Garber, CeaseFirePA Executive Director, (267) 515-1220, adam.garber@ceasefirepa.org
Dozens of PA Local Officials Urge Chairman Knowles to Hold First Public Hearing on Gun Violence This Legislative Session
Harrisburg, PA—Today, a coalition of 80 local elected officials, community leaders, public health professionals, and faith leaders, as well as members of the veteran, law enforcement, and education communities from across Pennsylvania, sent a letter to Representative Jerry Knowles, Chairman of the PA House Local Government Committee, asking him to schedule a hearing on four gun violence prevention bills that are awaiting action in his committee. The bills were referred to the Local Government Committee on June 13 in what was widely seen as a tactic to stall lifesaving and broadly popular gun violence prevention legislation.
The four bills include legislation to create Extreme Risk Protection Orders (also known as “red flag” laws), empower local governments to act, require secure storage of firearms in the home, and ban assault weapons.
The full letter and its list of signatories can be read here.
Adam Garber, Executive Director of CeaseFirePA, which organized the coalition letter, issued the following statement:
“This letter’s signatories represent just a small cross-section of the thousands upon thousands of local officials, faith leaders, doctors, nurses, and community leaders across the Commonwealth who are still waiting for legislators in Harrisburg to make their schools, workplaces and communities safe.
“While each of us wished these bills were sent to the House floor for a full vote, the House Local Government Committee is well suited to explore how the ongoing gun violence crisis is devastating local communities, and its economic impact on cities facing a host of challenges. It is known as a place for fair, open discussion and exploration. And now, we hope Chairman Knowles will put it to work by scheduling a hearing on these bills this summer.”
###
As the Commonwealth’s leading gun violence prevention organization, CeaseFirePA 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.
