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CeaseFirePA Action, the Commonwealth’s leading gun violence prevention advocacy organization, along with its program, Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence, announced endorsements of two Special Election candidates for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives who will prioritize Pennsylvanians’ lives and safety.  Joe McAndrew in the 32nd House District and Abigail Salisbury in the 34th House District earned this endorsement by demonstrating a commitment to support lifesaving gun violence prevention legislation and continued investments in community violence intervention programs in Harrisburg.

With public safety a top voter concern as Philadelphians prepare to elect their next leader, CeaseFirePA Education Fund, WHYY News, and Billy Penn will host the “100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum,” a discussion among candidates on how they plan to approach policing and the gun violence epidemic as mayor. Philadelphia experienced nearly 1,000 gun homicides over the last two years.

15,000 Pennsylvainans have died from gun violence in the decade since 20 children and six educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut. CeaseFirePA Education Fund, faith leaders, survivors, doctors and a network of community partners hosted 10 vigils in two weeks to remember those who will no longer join holiday gatherings because of gun violence.

Residents of Philadelphia and Allegheny County who have lost family members to gun violence, and CeaseFirePA filed their brief in their appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in their case challenging Pennsylvania’s firearm preemption laws.

In the last two years, Pennsylvania and municipalities across the Commonwealth have invested more than $170 million in violence prevention programs. The investment was made possible by hundreds of millions of federal funding provided by the Biden-Harris Administration. CeaseFirePA Education Fund’s Executive Director highlighted success stories and the need for continued focus at a special White House event on Thursday, September 28th. 

CeaseFirePA is launching a significant Independent Expenditure campaign to elect Paul Friel to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 26th District.

Today, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a budget that invests $105 million in violence prevention programs. More than doubling the size of last year’s program, this funding will allow community-led organizations and local governments to expand evidence-based programs to intervene and prevent violence before it happens. Read more.

Today, a coalition of 80 local elected officials, community leaders, public health professionals, and faith leaders, as well as members of the veteran, law enforcement, and education communities from across Pennsylvania, sent a letter to Representative Jerry Knowles, Chairman of the PA House Local Government Committee, asking him to schedule a hearing on four gun violence prevention bills that are awaiting action in his committee.