I’m a mom of two who lives in a small town near Pittsburgh. While I’ve chaired CeaseFirePA’s board for years, I am personally grieving the impact of gun violence for the first time.
Uncle Joe holding Alicia’s daughter
Just one year ago, a close friend of my family who was an uncle to my children took his own life using a firearm. Joe was a decorated veteran and an amazing father. What I miss most about him is his kind spirit, his warm humor, and his extreme thoughtfulness.
Like 900 other Pennsylvanians this year, he turned to a firearm in a moment of crisis. The holidays are forever changed. I wish I could tell Joe that my family and I miss him terribly and we need him here with us.
Because of you, the State House passed Extreme Risk Protection Orders. And, I’m ready to finish the job. Are you?
As a mother and as a friend of a shooting victim, I believe this progress is critical to the safety of our loved ones.This holiday season, I encourage you to give generously to a cause you care deeply about - the safety of your friends, family, and neighbors.
An Extreme Risk Protection Order could have saved my friend’s life. Gun suicides account for more than half of all firearm fatalities in Pennsylvania — more than 900 Pennsylvanians take their lives using a firearm every year.1 If there was a lawful mechanism to have temporarily removed the firearm from his possession, we may have been able to save my dear friend.
This holiday season, I hope that none of you have to go through what I went through last year. I’m committed to this work. Our team is committed. Friend, are you are committed?
