Last month broke a horrifying record: it was the worst January ever for mass shootings in America.[1] And a newly-released report by the U.S. Secret Service found that 3/4 mass shooters showed some kind of concerning behavior beforehand, and 3/4 used firearms in their attack[2] – clear evidence that Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) can be a critical tool to prevent these atrocities by temporarily removing firearms from someone showing warning signs of imminent violence.
Though national focus has been on the heartbreaking recent tragedies in California, we had three senseless mass shootings right here in our Commonwealth last month – in Allentown,[3] Lancaster,[4] and Philadelphia.[5]
And while mass shootings terrify and traumatize us, vastly more Pennsylvanians die each month by firearm suicide. Suicide by firearm is responsible for the majority of gun deaths, and more than 900 Pennsylanians die each year by firearm suicide.[6]
ERPOs are also a proven way to prevent firearm suicides.[7] That’s why State Rep. Jennifer O'Mara was inspired to introduce an ERPO bill: she lost her own father to firearm suicide.[8]
We must pass an ERPO law and ensure its consistent use across Pennsylvania to prevent both firearm suicides and mass shootings.Your action todaycan help make that happen.
