|
GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Jewell Williams |
|
Nov. 19, 2007
Philadelphia Delegation outraged at lack of action on gun violence
By State Rep.
Jewell Williams
The rash of gun violence plaguing the City of Brotherly L ove continues to reach new heights, and one thing is certain, the lack of legislative action to protect the citizens of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania is appalling. As chairman of the Philadelphia Delegation and a former police officer, I continue to urge my colleagues to take a compassionate and reasonable look at how we can sustain the rights of Pennsylvanians to bear arms, yet keep them from criminal use.
There are many good proposals that have been introduced in the legislature that warrant further consideration, yet they lay stagnant in committees for fear of political retribution. What can be more important than preventing another innocent bystander or police officer from having their life put in jeopardy?
The 23 members of the Philadelphia Delegation are fully united in support of meaningful gun legislation. Several delegation members have proposed legislation to grapple with the issues facing Philadelphia on illegal guns. One proposal would establish a 20-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for shooting at a police officer. Another would allow municipalities to pass their own gun laws. I myself have introduced several proposals, including one that would require owners to report lost or stolen firearms. However, all have stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.
We watch surrounding states take the lead on this issue. Most recently, New Jersey partnered with the federal government to share a federal gun database to more effectively trace illegal firearms. New Jersey will now have real-time electronic access to a database maintained by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives which lists a gun’s first purchaser, date of sale and the retailer from which it was purchased.
Yet Pennsylvania remains passive on the issue, while more lives are lost in Philadelphia, the newly named “murder capital” of the nation. If that is not enough to motivate the legislature, I don’t know what is.
Gun violence is not simply Philadelphia’s problem, as some suggest. Murder and gun violence is not OK, no matter where it is happening or who it is affecting. This crisis has deep implications not only for victims and their loved ones, but also for police officers patrolling the streets, health-care providers who treat the injured and the overwhelmed court and corrections systems. We cannot wait any longer. Each day that passes allows criminals to grow more confident of their power and scare tactics. Each day that passes endangers our police and the citizenry they protect.
The Philadelphia Delegation fully accepts its responsibility as legislators committed to improving and protecting the lives of Pennsylvanians; however, there are other legislators in surrounding counties and throughout Pennsylvania that are standing in the way of that quality and protection. It takes 102 votes to pass any legislation in the House and there are 23 delegation members waiting to act.
I am urging every Philadelphian and Pennsylvanian to call upon their state representative and senator to move forward on firearms legislation. Every life lost, whether a citizen or law enforcement officer, is on the blood-stained hands of legislators who stand in the way of these life- saving pieces of legislation.
###
|
CONTACT: Ann Collis |