Minors Have Made Up 13% of The Over 500 Shooting Victims in Philadelphia This Year
PHILADELPHIA – Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots network, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements in response to a mass shooting in North Philadelphia Wednesday night that wounded seven people. While investigations are still ongoing, police reports indicate that someone fired into a crowd of people along North Bambrey Street in North Philadelphia in what may have been a targeted shooting. Most of those shot were innocent bystanders, including a 16-year old girl. According to data from the City Controller’s Office, minors have made up 13% of the over 500 shooting victims in the city this year and gun violence continues to be the number one killer of children and teens across Pennsylvania.
“Our hearts are with those who were injured in this tragic shooting. Senseless gun violence has become far too common in Philadelphia, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” said Debra O’Connor, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “It’s time for the Senate to step up and fund the gun violence prevention efforts that can prevent these tragedies. The gun safety movement is committed to ending this cycle – and we’ll be demonstrating this commitment at the ballot box in November by voting for lawmakers who are too.”
“Yet again, another teenager is caught in the crossfire of a shooting because someone had access to a gun and my heart is with the countless families who are now healing from this tragedy. How many more of us have to live with the trauma of experiencing a mass shooting before something changes?” Larren Wells, a student with the University of Pittsburgh Students Demand Action chapter. “We know gun violence prevention measures can solve this crisis and yet some of our lawmakers would rather send thoughts and prayers than support real solutions to keep us safe. My generation refuses to sit by while this cycle of violence continues.”
This shooting took place in Philadelphia, a city where approximately 40% of the population is Black. It also occurred on the same day as Juneteenth, a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, serving as yet another tragic example of how Black Americans disproportionately bear the burden of gun violence in the U.S. In Pennsylvania, Black people are roughly 4 times more likely than white people to die by guns, and are 26 times more likely than white people to die by gun homicide.
Budget negotiations for fiscal year 2025 are ongoing, where gun safety advocates are urging Pennsylvania Senators to ensure all $100 committed by Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis million is secured for gun violence prevention. Earlier this year, Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis announced their $100 million commitment to support gun violence prevention across the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania ranks 17th in the nation for the strength of its gun safety laws. Despite repeated calls by advocates to advance these measures over the last two years of this legislative session, the Pennsylvania Senate has yet to take up any common sense gun safety measures. Ahead of the 2024 elections, voters with the gun safety movement are fired up and prepared to hold their lawmakers accountable at the ballot box for putting the gun lobby ahead of the safety of communities across the Commonwealth.
In an average year, 1,759 people die by guns in Pennsylvania and another 4,020 are wounded. Gun violence costs Pennsylvania $21.7 billion each year, of which $470.7 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence Pennsylvania is available here.
