PA Safe Caucus praises governor’s relaunch of Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Rep. Dan B. Frankel    September 10, 2024 | 4:50 PM

HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – House and Senate leaders of the PA Safe Caucus applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s move Tuesday to reestablish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of an effort to marshal every possible resource to keep Pennsylvanians safe.

“Pennsylvanians are wondering if they will be safe at a concert or a grocery store or their house of faith, or if their children might encounter an unsecured firearm at a friend’s house or will one day hide under a desk while a school shooter thunders down the hallway,” said House PA Safe Caucus Co-chair Dan Frankel. “I’m proud to partner with a governor who doesn’t find any of that OK and doesn’t think we are powerless to stop it.”

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention falls under the purview of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which is led by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. It will bring together public safety and public health experts, gun violence survivors and advocates and leaders from across Pennsylvania to address and prevent gun violence.

“I applaud Governor Shapiro for taking the necessary steps to ensure safety for our communities. For decades, Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature have blocked almost every attempt to regulate firearms, and the result has been beyond tragic for our communities,” said House PA Safe Caucus co-chair Anthony Bellmon. “This renewed office will make sure that gun violence prevention and community support are front and center as we lawmakers keep up the fight to pass meaningful, proven regulations that will save lives.”

Senate PA Safe Caucus Co-chairs Steven Santarsiero and Amanda Cappelletti thanked Shapiro and Davis for their leadership and noted that the administration’s community-focused approach is making a difference.

“It is long overdue for action to stop the cycle of gun violence that has touched every corner of our society, Santarsiero said. “Reasonable gun safety measures will keep our communities safe, protect our children, and not infringe on the rights of responsible gun owners. As co-chair of the PA Safe Caucus, I applaud the governor for reestablishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and have full confidence Lieutenant Governor Davis will do an exceptional job heading up this critical public safety effort.”

In 2023, homicides decreased by 16% across Pennsylvania compared to 13% nationally, and 29 out of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties saw declines in homicides. Additionally, Philadelphia’s homicides decreased 23% in 2023 compared to the prior year and are down 36% so far in 2024.

“As a mom, a Pennsylvanian, a public health expert, and as co-chair of the PA Safe Caucus, I applaud Governor Shapiro’s efforts to address gun violence in Pennsylvania by reestablishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Safe and healthy communities are my top priority, and this executive order furthers that mission, pushing for a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to ending gun violence in our commonwealth,” Cappelletti said. 

The governor’s executive order comes in the wake of Senate Republican leaders’ refusal to take up House-passed legislation to temporarily remove guns from individuals in crisis, enact comprehensive background checks and ban homemade, untraceable firearms.