Common Agenda to End Gun Violence is Gaining Momentum

Too many Pennsylvanians die every year from firearms. Each one of them is a life cut short, a family in mourning, a community made incomplete. The gun violence epidemic includes suicides, community-based violence that disproportionately impacts communities of color, unintentional shootings, domestic violence, and mass shootings. And the problem is only getting worse. The preventable mass death of our family, friends, and neighbors is not and should not be a partisan issue -- we need action in Harrisburg now. I have joined with CeaseFirePA, the leading statewide gun violence prevention group, to form a diverse coalition that is advocating for commonsense, evidence-based policies that would prevent gun deaths while still respecting responsible gun ownership. On March 23, we kicked off this coalition through a virtual advocacy day where over 350 Pennsylvanians made their voices heard and demanded change from lawmakers. Now, we can build on that momentum.

If you, too, are tired of this senseless violence, I urge you to join our efforts to advocate for sensible solutions. Here’s how you can get involved:

Sign this petition to add your name in support of the Common Agenda to end gun violence: three policies that have broad public bipartisan support, including from gun owners.

Contact your legislators to directly voice your support for the Common Agenda legislation. Request a meeting with your State Senator and Representative, call their offices, or write them emails in support of:

• Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Senate Bill 134; Representatives Stephens’ and O’Mara’s proposed legislation
• Universal Background Checks: Senate Bill 88; House Bill 235
• Requiring the Reporting of Lost & Stolen Firearms: Senate Bill 217; House Bill 980

Write a letter to the editor or op-ed for your local newspaper. This is a great way to engage your community and bring new people into the gun violence prevention movement. CeaseFirePA can provide assistance in writing and submitting your piece -- email info@ceasefirepa.org for more information.

Pass this along to your family, friends, and neighbors, and post on your social media, so others can take these same actions. We will only see progress if all Pennsylvanians make their voices heard and demand change.

If you want to get more involved in advocating for commonsense gun violence prevention policies, contact CeaseFirePA at info@ceasefirepa.org, subscribe to their email updates and learn more at ceasefirepa.org, and follow them on Twitter or Facebook.