Semi-Automatic Assault Rifle Weapon Used to Kill Police Officer "Has No Legitimate Place Or Purpose In Pennsylvania", Says CeaseFirePA Board President Phil Goldsmith

Wednesday, May 7th - CeaseFire PA today sent a letter to Pennsylvania gun shops asking proprietors to voluntarily stop selling the SKS assault rifle, the semi-automatic weapon used in the murder of Philadelphia Police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski last Saturday.

SKS assault rifles possess enormous force and destructive power, and were originally designed for warfare.  The SKS is available for purchase in Pennsylvania, with no purchase restrictions beyond those that would apply to any other firearm.

"The SKS assault rifle is a semi-automatic weapon with enormous, destructive power," said CeaseFire PA Board President Phil Goldsmith. "Officer Liczbinski’s murder makes it painfully clear a weapon this destructive has no legitimate place or purpose in Pennsylvania."

National gun-violence data demonstrates the SKS rifle is a growing problem across the country as well.  During a five-year-period from 1995 to 2000, more than 11,500 SKS rifles were traced to crime scenes in the United States.

"The SKS rifle has been increasingly linked to gun crimes, and now it’s been used to murder a Pennsylvania police officer,” Goldsmith said. “We respect gun stores’ rights to do business, but everyone must do their part to help stem gun violence and stop the senseless loss of human lives. In memory of Officer Liczbinski, we are asking Pennsylvania gun stores to stop selling the SKS assault rifle. As long as the General Assembly continues to stall any reasonable attempts to pass common-sense handgun safety reforms, we must seek every possible avenue to protect the public and our police.”