Local mayors join call for gun control

[WhiteFeather]

Notice the scam in this article

How could a PRO-GUN CONTROL group been pushing for a trio of bills which they say includes HB 2060 introduced (NOV 19 2007) voted on Nov 20, 2007. Notice how they focus on HB 2060 as a method to drag the other two bills as they would "do something" to stop criminals. What happened to HB 18 being part of their orginal trio of gun control bills, funny how they want to rewrite history to suit their needs. How come HB 2060 does not include 20 years mandtory sentance for criminals shooting at anyone, and not just police officers?


http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-...0,799076.story


CeaseFire president Phil Goldsmith talks during a rally to push for new state gun laws at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Monday. (AP photo / December 10, 2007)

11:56 AM EST, December 10, 2007

HARRISBURG

Two Lehigh Valley mayors joined with police officers, advocates and politicians from across the state this morning to call on state lawmakers to pass new gun-control legislation that they say is key to stopping the violence on the streets of their communities.

Democrats John Callahan of Bethlehem and Ed Pawlowski of Allentown reiterated arguments that the plague of gun violence in the state's largest cities has crossed municipal borders and infiltrated smaller communities.

"It's an issue affecting all of us," Pawlowski said. "We have to take action and hopefully, the Legislature will pay attention."

This morning's rally in the Capitol's East Rotunda was sponsored by the pro-gun control group CeaseFire PA. The Philadelphia-based organization has been pushing for a trio of bills now before lawmakers. They include legislation imposing a 20-year mandatory sentence on anyone who shoots at a policeman; another requiring someone to report a lost or stolen handgun within 24 hours of its disappearance, and a third limiting Pennsylvanians to one handgun purchase a month.

The rally also comes amid an increased political and legislative focus on gun-control.

Gov. Ed Rendell testified before a House panel last month, where he called on lawmakers to send the bills to the full chamber for a vote. Last week, members of the House's Legislative Black Caucus staged a walkout to call attention to the legislation and to remind their colleagues not to take their votes on other bills for granted.

So far, only the minimum sentence bill has reached the House floor. The other two remain stuck in the House Judiciary Committee.

"This is not a black issue. This is not a white issue. This is not a green issue. This is a red issue because blood runs red," said Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-Delaware, the chairman of the House Black Caucus.

Rendell, meanwhile, called on lawmakers to "put their rear-ends on the line," and vote in favor of the bills, as a show of support for police officers who "put their rear-ends on the line every day."

"It's a very simple choice," he said.

Callahan pointed to recent polling data showing overwhelming public support for the legislation. And, like Pawlowski, he stressed that the issue is not one confined to the state's largest cities.

"It's not just Philadelphia. It's not just Pittsburgh. It's Carlisle. It's Pottsville," he said.

Bethlehem Officer Steven Marks, the first city police officer shot in the line of duty in 40 years, also attended today's rally. He said passing the minimum sentence bill would make people think twice about pulling a gun on an officer.

"People know we're armed," he said. "If they're coming after us, they'll come after anyone."

-- reporting by John L. Micek, Call Harrisburg Bureau

[XD45]

anyone come across a list of all who attended?

[Cowboy]

What about that "recent polling data".....yeah right!

[billamj]

Gotta wonder how many of the cops in that picture were ordered to attend? I know for a fact that in the past that has happened with military members, it wouldn't surprise me at all for the same to happen to the cops.

[CZ40P]

What gets me is these politicians who complain that voting for gun control,against the will of their constituents ,will get them in trouble.

Then they have the nerve to claim that according to all the polls, most Pennsylvanians support gun control.

Here is a hint, if you vote against the will of your constituents, you should be in trouble, ..................on election day


What is next, The Million Mayor March

By the way the police presence in the picture looks like it is packed with Harrisburg PD and PSP brass

[WhiteFeather]

got another email same subject ...... Sure wish these same people would stand and scream about all the plea bargining of all the existing gun law violations that occur everyday, instead of pushing for more law that they won't enforce either.

From: PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs [mailtofsc@pa.net]
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 5:15 PM
To: PFSC
Subject: GOVERNOR RENDELL JOINS MEMBERS OF THE PA BLACK CAUCUS TO RALLY
FOR HANDGUN REFORM 12-10-07


GOVERNOR RENDELL JOINS MEMBERS OF THE PA BLACK CAUCUS TO RALLY FOR
HANDGUN REFORM
By Darren Sellers, PA Legislative Services

12-10-07

Governor Ed Rendell and members of the Legislative Black Caucus held a
rally today to advocate for an end to violence and tougher handgun laws.

The Governor was also joined by supporting legislators, various mayors,
representatives from the gun control advocacy groups CeaseFirePA and Moms
Against Guns, and numerous policeman representing Philadelphia,
Bethlehem,Upper Darby, Wilkes-Barre, Pottsville, Steelton, and Williamsport.

Phil Goldsmith, president of CeaseFirePA and moderator of the rally,
stated the primary mission of his organization is to improve public safety
through the urging of legislation to reduce illegal handguns. Goldsmith
acknowledged that the reasons for crime and gun violence are numerous, but added
that while accountability begins at home, legislators must also be held
accountable for not passing sensible legislation which will save lives and
provide protection for law enforcement officers. He vowed that his
group "will not go away," until the General Assembly enacts handgun
legislation to make communities safer and to protect law enforcement officers.
Goldsmith urged legislators not to be scared or intimidated by the NRA, and
mentioned that they will not be perceived as "snitches" in the public's view.

Governor Rendell thanked the many legislators and mayors who "dug in
their heels and have said enough is enough" in their demand for handgun
reform despite the political risks involved. The Governor acknowledged the
many progressive initiatives to improve opportunities for people, most
notably education reform, which is also supported by many who support hand gun
reform. He noted that there are no easy answers to solving the
problems of drugs and violence but insisted that something must be done to combat
these issues.

The Governor asked the legislators standing behind him to move aside to
allow the many police officers present to be displayed as symbols of the
importance of handgun reform. He mentioned that the laws should protect
those that protect our citizens, and that protection is necessary before
crime occurs. He said assaults against police have increased by 83% in
PA compared to 18% nationwide, and remarked it is "unacceptable."

Governor Rendell claimed that the proposed legislation of limiting gun
purchases to one per month will not compromise or infringe on the
"hunting and gun heritage" which exists in PA. He mentioned that many hunters
(61%) support the legislation for allowing one gun per month because it does
not apply to firearms used in hunting such shotguns and rifles. "Why on
earth would anybody need more than twelve handguns a year?" asked the
Governor. He added that it is the straw purchaser with a clean record that buys guns
in mass quantity and turns around and sells them on the street illegally.
He concluded that eliminating straw purchases will reduce gun violence by
allowing fewer guns to become available.

Tom McMahon, Mayor of Reading, attested to the false notion that gun
violence only affects large cities like Philadelphia by noting the many
mayors who traveled to attend the rally. However, he mentioned that one
mayor, Rick Gray of Lancaster, was unable to be present due to
attending the funeral of a beloved leader of the Lancaster Latino community, Juan
Lopez, who was shot and killed last evening. Mayor Gray provided a letter
which Mayor McMahon read on his behalf explaining the circumstances. Mayor
McMahon supports the current proposed legislation related to gun violence such
as mandatory sentencing for violent crimes, one handgun purchase in a
30-day period, the reporting of lost or stolen hand guns, and a crack down on
straw purchases.

John Street, Mayor of Philadelphia, said current gun laws have allowed
"illegal handguns to be everywhere," and added that PA has national
reputation as a state with some of the "worst, outdated gun laws."
Mayor Street encouraged legislators to become more proactive by modernizing
gun laws to adapt to the changing times and also impose on gun
manufacturers to produce more "smart gun technologies" in handguns.
Mayor Street added that the polling data on handgun reform has shown that legislators are not properly representing their constituents, but rather serving large lobbyists, such as the NRA.
He urged the legislature enact the bill because they are supported by citizens statewide.

Michael Nutter, Mayor-Elect of Philadelphia, expressed his hope that
the action against gun violence would be extended to the passage of bills
instead of just rallies. Nutter expressed his concerns over the accessibility to handguns in PA
and referenced New York and New Jersey as states that
were able to discover methods to create legal gun control that has been acceptable by the many interested parties. Nutter mentioned the efforts of Rep. Dwight Evans commitment to gun law reforms throughout his many years of service. Nutter mentioned his respect for the 2nd
Amendment and people's rights to bear arms, but he added that it is a "civil
right, not to be shot while walking on the streets of our cities" and concluded
that people have the right to live safe and be properly represented by legislators.

Mary Beth Hacke, mother of a gun violence victim and member of CeaseFirePA,
spoke about the disbelief that something like this could happen to their
family. Her 14-month old son Ryan was shot accidentally as a passenger
in a car. She urged that guns need to be out of the hands of criminals and
demanded that legislature pass laws that can keep guns from entering the
illegal market where irresponsible violence is rampant.

Lynne Honickman, founder of Moms Against Guns, is an advocate for children's
health, education and a better quality of life and created the organization due to her outrage over the lack of attention given to the safety of children. "I live in a state where too many children have died. It's that simple.
Pennsylvania's high rate of gun violence is a national disgrace and each time a child pulls the trigger of a gun and kills another child, two families are destroyed," stated Honickman.
She called for passage of legislation not only for the children but for the police and law enforcement officers, who are the "guardians" of our communities.

Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland (D-Delaware) said he is thankful for the widespread support of such a life-saving endeavor. Rep. Kirkland addressed the perception that he and fellow Black Caucus members "walked out" on the House, but rather he insisted that he and his collogues were "standing up."
He added that they were "standing up" for all of the unnecessary violence in
the communities across the state and vowed to "continue to stand up until
important life sustaining legislation is passed." Rep. Kirkland added
that gun violence is not a "white, black, or green issue, but rather a red
issue" from all the blood that has been spilled.

Lt. Francis Healy, Special Legal Advisor to Philadelphia Police
Commissioner, spoke about the purpose of requiring handgun owners to
report any gun lost or stolen because of the statistics that most gun violence
is committed by illegally possessed guns. Lt. Healy mentioned that
criminals rely on "straw purchasers" to obtain guns and then sell them on the
illegal street market. He mentioned that when a gun is traced back to the
"straw purchaser" as the owner of the gun, they frequently claim that the gun
was lost or stolen. He said while law enforcement agencies are well aware
of individuals frequently connected to lost or stolen guns, there are no
requirements for those individuals to file a report. The purposed law
will reduce the illegal resale of handguns and also assists police in
providing important information in pending investigations, he offered.

Rep. Jewell Williams (D-Philadelphia) spoke about the importance of HB
29, stating it will allow for "equal protection" for all Pennsylvanians by
allowing law enforcement agencies to know the possession status of
handguns. He mentioned that too often guns resurface in other places for more
crimes to be committed and this will allow for a report to create a nationwide
effort to recover the firearm and also provide helpful information for
the police in solving crimes.

Ben Tulchin, VP, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, performed a
http://www.greenbergresearch.com/index.php?ID=2097 survey of
registered voters in Pennsylvania. He found that voters believe that gun violence
is a statewide crisis which is getting worse and they are asking for action.
Tulchin found that 86% of surveyors believe that state legislators
should address these issues, and that 65% voters said they want tougher gun
safety laws. The initiatives of HB 29 are supported by a resounding 96% of
voters, and 70% believe that one per month is acceptable. The survey also found
that 71% of voters would support legislators that support gun law reform,
with only 17% opposes such new laws. Tulchin concluded by finding that 76%
of voters surveyed support the mission of the hand gun reform advocates
while only 10% support the NRA.

[Bill Ricca]

I was at the Committee Meeting held at Allentown City Hall last April. Mayor Pawlowski testified heavily in all sorts of gun laws, including "Assault Weapons". The mayor wants to return to the insanity of outlawing physical appearance, yet never testifies about putting criminals away for a long time.

He is one of Ed Rendell's biggest Brown Nosers.

Bill Ricca
Lehigh Valley Firearms Coalition
Webmaster

www.levfc.org

[larrymeyer]

Ben Tulchin, VP, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, performed a
http://www.greenbergresearch.com/index.php?ID=2097 survey of
registered voters in Pennsylvania. He found that voters believe that gun violence
is a statewide crisis which is getting worse and they are asking for action.
Tulchin found that 86% of surveyors believe that state legislators
should address these issues, and that 65% voters said they want tougher gun
safety laws. The initiatives of HB 29 are supported by a resounding 96% of
voters, and 70% believe that one per month is acceptable. The survey also found
that 71% of voters would support legislators that support gun law reform,
with only 17% opposes such new laws. Tulchin concluded by finding that 76%
of voters surveyed support the mission of the hand gun reform advocates
while only 10% support the NRA.


But he only survied 600 people !!!!!!!

[RoyJackson]

But he only survied 600 people !!!!!!!

I think it was Benjamin Disreali (18th Century British Prime Minister) who said there are three kinds of lies:

"Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics"

Statistics are a good tool for trending data...but it's so easy to skew the results. I never trust statistics when it comes to dealing with people.

[Ramtuff]

anyone come across a list of all who attended?

The Mayors included Nutter (Philly elect), Pottsville, Carlisle, Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Wilkes-Barre. The Mayor of Lancaster was supposed to be there, but was unable to attend due to a funeral. I read this in the Daily Local today.