A Plan For A Safer Pennsylvania
Over 1,600 people die from guns every year in Pennsylvania. The human cost of gun violence is staggering. Lives are cut short, survivors grieve, and families are devastated. Although every community experiences gun violence differently, no community is immune.
There are many causes of this epidemic. Deadly firearms are readily available for too many individuals at extreme risk of harming themselves or others. Gun violence is propped up and perpetuated by unjust systems of discrimination and inequality. And fundamental problems in our democracy have stacked the deck against the young people and in favor of big-money gun lobbyists.
We need to push back against inaction and fight for evidence-based solutions. In August of 2019, March For Our Lives introduced A Peace Plan For A Safer America. But we know that such a multifaceted and comprehensive plan requires a similar approach that incorporates gains we can make at the state level, in order to cut gun deaths in Pennsylvania in half by 2030. That’s why we’re asking our lawmakers in Harrisburg to support our Peace Plan, written by Pennsylvania students for the well-being of our state. Eliminating gun violence in Pennsylvania requires three core areas of action: ensuring safe gun ownership, addressing systemic causes, and fixing democracy. We’ve explained 27 crucial policies that legislators must pursue in order to achieve these goals.
Ensuring Safe Gun Ownership
Universal Background Checks
Disarm Hate
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Safe Storage Requirements
Lost and Stolen Gun Reporting
Repeal Stand Your Ground
Minimum Purchase Age
Require Training For First-Time Buyers
Ban Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines
Waiting Periods
Municipal Rights
Licensing and Registration for Firearms
Prevent Interstate Trafficking
Firearm Buyback Programs
Accountability For Firearm and Ammunition Manufacturers
Addressing Systemic Causes
More Guidance Counselors
Support Mental Health Programs
Fund Violence Intervention Programs
Establish Bias Training for State and Local Law Enforcement
Set New Standards For Police Intervention & Exclusionary Disciplines in Schools
Create a Civilian Oversight of the Department of Corrections
Research Gun Violence As A Public Health Epidemic
Fixing Democracy
Civic Education
Voter Pre-Registration at 16
Automatic Voter Registration
Early In-Person Voting
Election Day Holiday
March For Our Lives will be rolling out a full description of each policy in the coming weeks!