In Remembrance
Senate Democrats Remember Victims of Gun Violence and Call for Action
Senate Democrats join Gov. Wolf and U.S. Senator Bob Casey for a bipartisan event in remembrance of the victims of all gun violence and as a call-for-action after a weekend of mass shootings and a continued deaf-ear response from federal and state lawmakers to take up stricter gun laws.
Gov. Wolf Hosts Bipartisan Remembrance of Victims and Call for Action Event Against Gun Violence at the Capitol
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Senate Democrats Demand Action NOW!
Sen. Street Statement on July 4th Shootings
PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 2022 – Senator Sharif Street released the following statement in reference to police officers being struck by gunfire during July 4th celebrations at the Welcome to America Festival on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. "Only a year...
Senator Lindsey M. Williams Announces Three Education Bills Aimed at Improving Student Mental Health
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) June 15, 2022 --- Senator Lindsey Williams announced today that she is the prime co-sponsor of three pieces of legislation aimed at improving student mental health. These bills seek to put more school-based mental health care programs and...
Senate Democrats Call for Vote on PA Red Flag Law, GOP Votes No
Harrisburg, PA – June 13, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats made a motion for the Senate to vote on a Discharge Resolution that would move Senate Bill 134 out of committee and to the floor of the Senate for a full vote during session. State Senate...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Proposed Federal Gun Reform Deal
HARRISBURG – June 12, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on today’s announcement on an agreement by the US Senate on a proposed deal to address gun violence: “I am pleased that the United States Senate has...
Senator Santarsiero to Introduce Legislation Banning Military-Style Assault Weapons in Pennsylvania
BUCKS COUNTY — June 10, 2022 − In the wake of several mass shootings in recent weeks, State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) will be introducing a bill banning military-style assault weapons in Pennsylvania. “Military-style weapons have no place in civilian society,”...
Senate Democrats Statement on Gun Violence Discharge Resolutions
Harrisburg, PA – June 7, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats filed six discharge resolutions in an effort to move anti-gun violence and reform legislation to the floor of the State Senate for a vote. While Senate Republicans have moved bills that would make...
When Will Leaders Act on Guns?
Op-ed by Senator Wayne Fontana
This weekend, our country will be “celebrating” Memorial Day. A day to honor those who have died in our nation’s wars. At the same time, our country will also be mourning the innocent young lives lost because they were ruthlessly gun down by an 18-year-old mad man in Uvalde, Texas. When and why has the United States become so tolerant of this sickening violence?
Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Press Conference and Rally
Senate Democrats Call on Republicans to Immediately Prioritize Gun Violence Prevention Legislation and Appropriations
HARRISBURG – May 25, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats wrote the following letter to Republican leaders in response to rampant gun violence and mass shootings that have become too common in the United States. Just this year, 215 mass shootings have...
Senator Haywood Responds to Mass Shootings in Texas and New York
Harrisburg, Pa. – May 25, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in response to the massacres at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, N.Y. this month:...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Deadly School Shooting at Robb Elementary School
HARRISBURG – May 25, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on the tragic mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas: “As we find our nation amid another senseless tragedy at the hands of gun violence, our...
Senator Haywood Responds to Gun Violence Meeting with Mayor Kenney
PHILADELPHIA – May 11, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) released the following statement in response to a virtual meeting with Mayor Jim Kenney (D- Philadelphia): “On 18 April, I led a sit-in with advocates outside of Mayor...
Senator Haywood Responds to Call with Mayor Kenney on Gun Violence in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – April 19, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia), State Rep. Darisha Parker (D-Philadelphia), Sister Taleah Taylor, President and Founder of the City of Dreams Coalition, and Rev. Kent Matthies of the Unitarian Society...
Senator Haywood Leads Sit-ins at City Hall in Philadelphia to Demand Action from Mayor Kenney on Gun Violence
PHILADELPHIA – April 18, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) led an organized sit-in with gun violence prevention advocates at the office of Mayor Jim Kenney at City Hall in Philadelphia. Senator Haywood initiated the first day of...
Hughes Announces $15M in Violence Prevention Grants for Philly
HARRISBURG – January 26, 2022 – Efforts to stem violence in the City of Philadelphia will receive nearly $15 million in new state funding, state Sen. Vincent Hughes announced today. The grants, administered through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and...
Senator Haywood Demands Immediate Action from Mayor Kenney to Stop Gun Violence in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – January 20, 2022 – Today, State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) called on Mayor Jim Kenney (D-Philadelphia) to take six immediate actions to stop gun violence in Philadelphia and save lives. In an email sent to Mayor Kenney, Senator...
City & Community Leaders Honor Victims & Survivors of Gun Violence, Urge Gun Safety Ahead of New Year Celebrations
PHILADELPHIA – December 30, 2021 – City and community leaders on Thursday memorialized the lives lost and forever traumatized by gun violence in Philadelphia and urged gun owners to exercise basic common sense ahead of New Year’s celebrations. Pennsylvania...
Senator Costa Announces Major Funding for School Safety Initiatives in Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 1, 2021 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of nearly $3.5 million for school safety and violence prevention grants in Allegheny County. “Community organizations are the lifeblood of our region, and they know best the needs we...
Senators Cappelletti and Santarsiero, Senate co-chairs of the PA SAFE Caucus, Respond to Pennsylvania Joining Multi-State Effort to Prevent Gun Violence and Enhance Public Safety
Harrisburg, PA − October 7, 2021 − Senators Steve Santarsiero and Amanda M. Cappelletti, Senate Co-chairs of the bicameral PA SAFE Caucus applauded Governor Tom Wolf’s announcement today regarding the agreement that allows law enforcement agencies from...
Hughes and Wolf Urge Community Groups to Apply for Anti-Violence Grants
Harrisburg, September 23, 2021 – Gov. Tom Wolf joined state Sen. Vince Hughes today for a news conference in Philadelphia to urge local community groups to apply for share of $24 million in state funds set aside for efforts to stem violence. The grants, through the...