‘That is real trauma, trauma for our childen’

Shapiro urges Senate approval of gun control bills

Gov. Josh Shapiro came to East Lansdowne on Friday to speak in support of two gun control bills, which he said would protect a real freedom for Pennsylvanians: the freedom to feel safe in your neighborhood.

Shapiro’s message at the borough hall was to urge the state Senate to pass what he called bipartisan proposals that recently passed the state House.

Shapiro said law enforcement needs support to address the crisis of gun violence and that is done by passing legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those who would inflict damage on others.

“We’ve been debating and introducing gun violence since I was a representative in the state House a decade and a half ago. Rarely did those bills get a hearing, let alone a vote.”

He was joined by over a dozen state representatives, state Sen. Tim Kearney, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, county Sheriff Jerry Sanders, Yeadon Police Chief Henry Giammarco, East Lansdowne Chief John J. Zimath, other borough leaders and state police Commissioner Christopher Paris.

Shapiro said people are worried about violence in their communities.

He noted some residents hear it every day and others have to worry about when they send their children to school or have school-shooter training exercises.

“That is real trauma, trauma for our children, that their parents, Democrat and Republican, are worried about,” he said. “And yet these representatives went to work to do something about that.”

“It means having the freedom to walk down the street and not worry about getting shot in

our communities. Real freedom means our kids can go to school and focus on science and math and English and not focus on shooter drills,” Shapiro said. “Real freedom means a family getting up on a Sunday morning … walking down the street to church, worrying about what’s in a hymnal not worrying about a shooter coming in and attacking them in their pews. That’s real freedom.”

Shapiro called the bills common sense.

The first bill that passed, HB 714, would close the gun show loophole and require universal background checks on all gun purchases.

“Most people go through a background check when they start a new job. It’s common sense to say if you are trying to buy a gun you should also have to go through a background check,” Shapiro said.

The second bill, HB 1018, is the extreme risk protection proposal, also called the red flag law, that would empower loved ones and law enforcement to temporary take away gun access to people in crisis.

“It gives law enforcement another tool to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those who would use those guns to harm others, or harm themselves,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro praised Delaware County state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara for sharing her story of grief in her family as a result of gun violence.

Shapiro said a bipartisan coalition needs to be built to get things done and he called on Senators to build a coalition to get the bill passed in the Senate.

“It’s going to take all of this to get this done. This isn’t a partisan exercise. Yes their (Democrats) majority mattered because they had the courage to bring it up, but in order to get this done we have to bring everybody together: Democrats, Republicans, independents law enforcement leaders. Gun owners and families who have been victimized by gun violence, children who are suffering trauma, they have loud voices and they need to be heard,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro said he is optimistic that the bills can be moved forward.

“I hope the Senate will now take a look at what the House has done,” Shapiro said.

“These two bills are important steps towards a safer Pennsylvania,” said State Rep. Gina Curry, whose district includes East Lansdowne. “They will take guns out of dangerous hands and stop the unsafe transfers of and purchases of firearms.

Tim Kearney, said that on Gun Violence Awareness Day, which was Friday, thanks to House members residents can celebrate a small victory for sensible gun legislation.

Paris thanked Shapiro for his support of the state police and dealing with the issue of gun violence, which he said hits urban, suburban and rural areas.