A powerful strategy to interrupt the trafficking of illegal guns is gaining momentum in PA, and we’re proud to have made it happen. Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny announced this week that his will be the first ever PA Sheriff’s Office to inspect licensed firearm dealers to ensure they’re complying with existing rules designed to keep our communities safe.
We approached the Sheriff with this innovative proposal, and worked hand in hand to design the program.1 Now, we’ll build on this groundbreaking and historic development and work to get other Sheriffs to take action in their counties.We’re half way to our $50,000 goal to fund this work – can you chip in now to help us raise the remaining $25,000 we need to spread this program across PA?
Research from Brady: United Against Gun Violence found that half of recovered crime guns in Pennsylvania came from just 1% of licensed dealers.2
It’s simple: if food inspectors never stopped at your favorite restaurant, you’re more likely to get food poisoning. The same is true with licensed firearm dealers – inspections help ensure dealers are keeping up with the due diligence required under our laws to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands.
Research on other cities and states shows that this strategy is effective at significantly curtailing illegal gun trafficking, by up to 64%,3 and reducing firearm homicides.4
1,900 Pennsylvanians died by guns last year. They are our neighbors, such as Betty Jean Averytt, a mother of six and community leader, who died in Pittsburgh when caught in the crossfire of a gun fight while walking a coworker to the bus stop.5To end the killing, we have to stop the illegal guns – and that means making sure gun dealers are following the rules.
