A top Pennsylvania administrator is calling for a community approach to reduce gun violence without changing existing laws.
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released a firearm safety special report on Tuesday.
“We cannot continue to sit idly by while so many Pennsylvanians are killed or injured,” DePasquale said. “More than 1,500 Pennsylvanians died as a result of firearms in 2016 – on average, that’s four funerals held every day. Beyond the tragic human toll, firearm-related violence carries enormous costs to society. Over the last decade, firearm-related injuries cost Pennsylvania taxpayers about $1.5 billion in healthcare costs because 76 percent of shooting victims were either uninsured or publicly insured.”
To prepare the report, DePasquale listened to feedback from a wide variety of groups and individuals, including sporting groups, safety advocates, law enforcement, firearms dealers, health providers and domestic violence protection advocates. DePasquale sees reducing the stigma around seeking help for mental health issues as one of the 12 key steps that can be taken now in order to prevent gun violence in the future.
Other recommendations include a monthly report from the State Police on firearms traced from crimes to track lost or stolen guns, as well as the creation of a volunteer training program focusing on the proper use and storage of firearms.
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