Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf has made it a priority while in office to support legislation and programs to end gun violence, and in the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, he recently attended a rally in Philadelphia to direct lawmakers to take action.

Gov. Wolf was joined by CeaseFire PA, state and local government officials, gun violence survivors and activists at the May 27 rally, according to a release that same day. Wolf has made a vow to prioritize ending gun violence and during his time as governor he has vetoed bills that would have lessened restrictions.

“I will continue to do everything I can to bring peace to our communities but what we really need is for our legislators to do their jobs, and pass some laws,” Gov. Wolf said. “Doing nothing is absolutely unacceptable. Every day that they delay, lives are on the line. My message to leaders in Congress and Pennsylvania’s General Assembly is simple: Do your jobs. Protect our kids.”

CeaseFire PA has called for the following laws: To require reporting for lost and stolen guns within 72 hours; to close loopholes and require background checks to buy a gun; to require safe storage of firearms; and to create red flag laws to protect people who may be in danger to themselves or other people. 

“Guns kill more Pennsylvania children than anything else because too many legislators have decided that has to be their fate. It’s not a law of nature, it is the law of man. And that means we can change it but only if we refuse to accept any less from every elected official in Pennsylvania,” said CeaseFirePA Executive Director Adam Garber. “At CeaseFirePA, we will not stop until everyone can live free from gun violence.”

Wolf has stood behind the CeaseFire PA agenda to end violence and after the recent mass shooting in Texas that killed 19 students and two teachers, and those that have come before and after, it is clear that gun violence continues to happen on a daily basis across the nation, including Pennsylvania.

Most recently, in January 2022, Wolf vetoed House Bill 979, which would have discouraged local jurisdictions from regulating firearms. In December 2021 he vetoed Senate Bill 565, which would have removed licensing and background check requirements for concealed carry permits. It also would have overturned Philadelphia’s permit for open carry law. Throughout his administration he has invested more than $50 million in gun violence prevention programs.

“Too many communities here and across the nation have known the terror of a mass shooting, and too many communities deal with gun violence every day that may not make nationwide headlines but still leave fear, grief and heartbreak in their wake,” Gov. Wolf said. “Gun violence has become entrenched in our nation, and the fact that our legislators at the state and national levels seem to be just fine with that is the greatest tragedy of all. I am heartbroken. I am angry. But I refuse to give up on calling on our lawmakers to enact common-sense legislation that protects Pennsylvanians.”