Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Community leaders speak out against gun violence
WEST CHESTER » About 30 leaders and concerned community members heard seven speakers push for passage of a state bill they say would cut gun deaths from domestic abusers, Thursday morning, outside the Historic Chester County Courthouse.
The rally was organized by leaders of the grassroots group, with 25,000 volunteer members statewide, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
State Rep. Warren Kampf, R-157, co-sponsored HB 2060. A similar bill was passed unanimously in January by the state Senate.
With the bill, existing guns would be taken away from domestic abusers, who are already not allowed to purchase firearms, within 24 hours.
Kampf said the bill makes “totally common sense.
“We just need to get this done. “I don’t know who could be against it.”
State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, told the moms and others that the bill is not complicated.
She noted that opinions changed after the Parkland school shooting in Florida.
“Young people said enough is enough,” Comitta said after the students asked, “Who do you stand with?
“You are either with us or against us.”
State Rep. Eric Roe, R-158, was an early co-sponsor of the bill.
“You don’t have to travel far
to see an instance where this bill could have made a difference,” Roe said. “I’ve seen firsthand that domestic abuse when a gun is involved rises exponentially.”
Shira Goodman, executive director of CeaseFirePA, is angry that legislators took summer break before voting for HB 2060.
“Gun violence does not take a vacation,” she said. “This bill will save lives.”
State Rep. Duane Milne, R-167, said his son wondered if his school was safe. The rep wore a purple tie to show that the issue is bipartisan.
“If you want something done, ask the moms to take charge,” Milne said. “This is common sense.
“I can’t believe it hasn’t been done yet.”
Laura Fletcher is with Moms Demand Action. She wants the House to pass the bill immediately upon returning later this month and to send it the governor to sign.
She told the audience that the first 24 hours for domestic abuse incidents is the most dangerous.
“They can happen anywhere and they will happen again,” Fletcher said.