The Pennsylvania chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement in response to reports that a 12-year-old boy allegedly armed with a stolen handgun was shot and killed by police after police say he opened fire. Additional reporting indicates that the officers were not wearing body cameras and details are still developing. An investigation into the incident is underway.
“As details of this horrific tragedy emerge, one thing is clear: we are in a gun violence crisis. This incident poignantly highlights that we must do more to protect our communities from the specter of gun violence,” said Beth Foringer, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our Commonwealth is crying out for solutions to these ever-worsening trends. As this terrible incident continues to be investigated, it’s time our policy makers take action to make Pennsylvania safer for us all.”
In February, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced over $35 million of additional funding for gun violence prevention grants, as part of his final state budget proposal. The funding would come in the form of violence intervention program grants overseen by the Pennsylvania Commission for Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Earlier this year, Wolf announced another $15 million investment in violence intervention grants through the American Rescue Plan.
In an average year in Pennsylvania, 1,628 people die by guns and 3,058 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Pennsylvania $12.1 billion each year, of which $567.4 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Pennsylvania can be found here.