Hi friend, Gun violence is surging during the pandemic. But instead of protecting Pennsylvanians from these dangers, many state legislators want to hang a permanent “open” sign on gun-related businesses. The Pennsylvania House could vote as soon as today on legislation to declare gun-related businesses “life-sustaining” operations that cannot be shut down for any reason--even if they sell guns illegally or fail to renew their business licenses.1 Hospitals, supermarkets, and restaurants would have to follow more laws. Tell your state legislators: Gun stores, shooting ranges and ammo firearm manufacturers shouldn’t be above the law. Oppose HB 2440. We know that fear and mental anguish during the pandemic--anytime, really--is made more dangerous by guns. In the first month of the pandemic, gun sales surged at least 14%.2 Domestic violence climbed 34%. And deadly unintentional shootings by children rose rapidly. But instead of tackling the decades-long gun violence crisis, elected officials are using this moment to ignore the consistent advice of public health experts. With the virus still spreading in communities throughout the Commonwealth, the CDC and doctors continue to urge residents to limit activity as much as possible. And when it must happen, social distancing and sanitation guidelines need to be followed. This legislation would allow gun related businesses to completely ignore those recommendations, almost certainly speeding the spread of the coronavirus through our communities. Tell your legislators: you should spend every waking moment protecting our health, not that of the gun industry. Sincerely,
Adam Garber
Executive Director, CeaseFirePA PS. With little time to stop this legislation, your voice may be the only thing that stands between the gun industry and an “always open” sign. After sending a message, please forward this to 10 friends. 1. House Bill 2440, May 18, 2020.
2. Sean Sauro, “Number of gun related background checks increased in PA amid COVID-19”, Lancaster Online, April 16, 2020.
3. ABC27, “State police data shows decrease in car crashes, increase in domestic violence”, April 9, 2020.
4. Erin Donaghue, “‘Alarming’ spike in deadly unintentional shootings by kids as gun sales soar during lockdowns”, CBS News, May 8, 2020. | 
