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Calling on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to fully implement the Philadelphia Gun Violence Protection program, as established in Chapter 10-2300 of the Philadelphia Code; and further authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Legislative Oversight and Public Safety to hold hearings on the impact implementation of red flag laws could have on gun violence in Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is facing a relentless crisis of senseless gun violence. In 2021, there was over 500 homicides and thousands of shootings. In 2022, the city has already surpassed 350 homicides and the number continues to climb daily. Neighborhoods throughout the city are facing the consequences of gun violence every day; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, City Council passed legislation creating the “Philadelphia Gun Violence Protection” program, which was first introduced by Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. in Bill No. 180553. This legislation allows individuals to petition the courts to have a firearm temporarily seized from someone who is a danger to themselves or others. Similar laws have been introduced in other cities and states across the nation and are commonly referred to as “red flag laws.;” and
WHEREAS, So far, the Philadelphia Gun Violence Protection program has yet to be fully implemented by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, When Philadelphia City Council passes laws that have the ability to keep city residents safe from harm, it is imperative that our partners and agencies cooperate in implementing; and
WHEREAS, Leaders from across the public safety and criminal justice spectrum should come together and testify about the effects that this legislation would have if it was being enforced. By bringing multiple agency heads together, the members of the joint committees on Legislative Oversight and Public Safety can accurately understand the effects that the legislation would have and the consequences that have been created due to its lack of implementation; now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby calls on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to fully implement the Philadelphia Gun Violence Protection program, as established in Chapter 10-2300 of the Philadelphia Code; and further authorizes the joint City Council Committees on Legislative Oversight and Public Safety to hold hearings on the impact of implementation of red flag laws could have on gun violence in Philadelphia.
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