Title
Calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to temporarily suspend firearm preemption for cities of the first class to allow Philadelphia to enforce measures that will reduce gun violence.
Body
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's preemption statute prevents local municipalities from passing firearm laws that are more restrictive than those on the state level; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is the only "city of the first class" in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, meaning that they have a great deal of autonomy in the governing of their City; and
WHEREAS, Firearm preemption laws have made it nearly impossible for the City of Philadelphia to pass meaningful gun legislation that would have a beneficial impact on our communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Philadelphia has been facing a devastating crisis of senseless gun violence. As of March 21, 2023, there has been 92 victims of homicide. In 2022, 514 people were murdered and 1,791 people were injured in non-fatal shootings. In 2021, the deadliest year in Philadelphia's history, 562 people were killed; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia in 2022, 43% of gun violence was centered in three neighborhoods, Kensington, North Philadelphia, and Germantown. According to the Office of the City Controller, 87% of those shot were male, 77% were black, 48% were between the ages of 18 and 30, and 10% were younger than 18 years old; and
WHEREAS, In order for Philadelphia to solve the gun violence crisis, it is essential that its leaders are able to take bold action in order to address it; and
WHEREAS, Preemption has blocked numerous firearm regulations from taking effect including ordinances requiring reporting for a lost or stolen firearm, red flag laws, banning straw purchases, and an executive order banning firearms in recreation centers and on playgrounds; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, it is unacceptable that shootings and gun violence have become part of our citizens' way of life. The countless instances o...
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