PITTSBURGH– Just a few years ago, the Pittsburgh region’s violence felt unavoidable. Gun violence became the #1 killer of children in the region, while shootings at parks, parties and grocery stores destroyed families.
While too many are still mourning, CeaseFirePA Education Fund and NextGen Education Fund hosted “Safer Pennsylvania” at Acrisure Stadium with community leaders, survivors and nonprofits to discuss how a coordinated response and support structure decreased gun homicides 44 percent in the last two years. The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which led a whole of government response, joined the summit to share more about their efforts and learn how it was saving lives in the region.
“We can never allow ourselves to become numb to the epidemic of gun violence and give up hope that a better, safer future is possible for all Pittsburghers and all Pennsylvanians,” said Adam Garber, Executive Director of CeaseFirePA Education Fund. “The incredible leaders in this room today are the reason we’ve been able to achieve historic declines in shootings. The work being done day-in and day-out to address the root causes of violence and intervene before a shot is fired – it’s working. And these are the people, programs, and strategies that will be leading the charge toward ending this public health crisis. If we continue the Biden-Harris and Shapiro-Davis administration’s record investments in safer communities and stay focused on changing our systems to provide for our safety, I’m hopeful that one day, we can all live free from gun violence.”
A sense of hope pervaded the room which included more than 100 leaders including members of all levels of government, direct service and violence interruption non-profits, public health leaders, survivors and other community leaders. Still it was clear everyone would not rest until everyone in the region could live free from gun violence.
In the last few years, more than $26 million have flowed into the Pittsburgh region from the PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency, led by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. About two-thirds of those resources originated with the federal government, including through the American Rescue Plan. Attendees shared how that funding supported local initiatives run by CURE Violence, the Center for Life, the Kingsley Association, and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and numerous others to prevent the next shooting.
“Pennsylvania experienced the nation’s second-biggest decline in gun homicides last year,” said Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, who leads the PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency. “To use a football metaphor — we’re in the red zone. Now is not the time to slow down. Now is the time to keep pushing forward. Because every life lost to gun violence is a tragedy.”
The summit was hosted at Acrisure Stadium by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former Quarterback Charlie Batch joined the first panel to share about how the loss of his sister to gun violence drove him to support youth in Homestead.
“NextGen America is proud to join CeasefirePA, The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and local elected officials to discuss the importance of commonsense gun policies to protect our communities,” said NextGen America Pennsylvania State Director Cortney Bouse. “Young people have a vision of a future where every person in America feels safe in their classrooms, workplaces, and neighborhoods. The Biden Administration has shown that it shares this vision through introducing new regulations on ‘ghost guns’ and signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law. We thank the Pittsburgh Steelers for hosting the summit during which we discussed how we can prevent gun violence and continue to save lives in Pittsburgh.”
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