Pielli to host gun violence town hall Sept. 21
Will focus on keeping kids safe at school
Rep. Chris Pielli August 31, 2023 | 2:26 PM
WEST CHESTER, Aug. 31 – State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, will host a town hall on how to protect kids from gun violence in schools.
Pielli will be joined by West Goshen Police Chief Mike Carroll, educational psychologist Dr. Kirby Wycoff and March For Our Lives student leader Samantha Carroll.
“Sadly, these days when we send our kids back to school, we now have the underlying fear that they may become the victims of gun violence,” Pielli said. “Students and their families already have enough to worry about on a daily basis. There’s no reason a student in America should have to prepare for the all-too-real threat of a school shooter. I look forward to partnering with our community leaders for an open and honest discussion with the people of West Chester on how we can keep our kids safe and keep guns out of our schools.”
Reducing gun violence has been a priority for Democrats in the state House. House Bill 714 would require background checks on all firearms regardless of barrel length. Pielli said that existing law limits background checks to all handgun purchases, creating a dangerous loophole for those who purchase firearms privately or at gun shows. House Bill 1018 would introduce Extreme Risk Protection Orders, which would allow family members or law enforcement to ask a judge to hold a hearing to temporarily disarm someone in crisis. Both of these bills have passed the House and are currently awaiting further action in the Senate.
“I am proud to have co-sponsored and voted in support of these gun safety bills,” Pielli said. “All we ask now is that the Senate pass these bills so we can protect our communities, our schools and our children.”
The Town Hall is at the West Goshen Township Municipal Building’s Public Meeting Room on the second floor from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. Those interested in attending the town hall can register through this link.