In the near future, I will introduce a resolution recognizing June 2024 as “Gun Violence Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

According to Pew Research, suicides have long accounted for the majority of U.S. gun deaths. About eight in ten U.S. murders involve a firearm. Statewide, the facts are clear – gun violence inflicts harm and heartbreak in both rural and urban communities. Pennsylvania loses 1,544 individuals on average to gun violence, and more than 3,000 are injured.

Gun violence is real, and we must do better to facilitate discussions between citizens and community leaders on how to make our neighborhoods safer for our children and all our citizens. With every passing day, our Commonwealth continues to suffer unrelenting grief and trauma as gun violence senselessly claims the lives and livelihoods of our neighbors, friends, and family members. Increased awareness of this epidemic will allow us to start a constructive conversation on addressing it, prevent needless harm and injury, and make Pennsylvania a safer, more prosperous land for everyone. This June, I ask us all to shine a light on gun violence as a major public safety and public health issue in our communities.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to reinforce to all Pennsylvanians that their lives have dignity that should not be jeopardized by gun violence.