Frankel applauds new multi-state effort to reduce gun violence
Partnership includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut
PA SAFE Caucus October 7, 2021 | 1:37 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and co-chair of the PA SAFE Caucus, praised Gov. Tom Wolf’s Thursday announcement that Pennsylvania has joined a new multistate effort to prevent gun violence and increase public safety.
The governors of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut signed a Memorandum of Understanding Thursday afternoon to allow law enforcement agencies from these states to share gun-involved crime data across state lines. This initiative will aim to detect, deter and investigate gun crimes, as well as identify criminals involved in gun trafficking and straw purchasers.
“Gun violence doesn't begin or end at the state line, so it makes perfect sense that we would work closely with our neighbors to address the ongoing tragedy of gun violence,” Frankel said.
This data-sharing effort will result in several benefits for public health services. The dissemination of timely, quality data will help states make data-driven decisions by informing them of best practices and policy to increase public safety. It will also identify specific needs that need to be addressed and allow states to efficiently allocate resources to help reduce gun violence by bolstering effective programs and reducing ineffective programs.
“In the absence of meaningful firearm regulation legislation from the General Assembly, I am grateful that Governor Wolf has found ways to fight the scourge of gun violence,” Frankel said. “If policy makers have the best, most complete information, we can be better positioned to save lives.”
Frankel is a co-chair of the PA SAFE Caucus, a group of legislators working together to reduce all types of violence in society through various initiatives, including finding solutions that reduce gun violence and promote public safety.
View the full text of the Memorandum of Understanding here.