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In Your StatePennsylvania

In Your State

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has had at least 177 mass shootings since 2020 and guns are the number one leading cause of death of children. Lawmakers must do more to keep kids safe from gun violence. Learn more about what you can do to help in your state and community.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Pennsylvania safer by passing School Violence Prevention Laws.

Pennsylvania had the

31st

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Pennsylvania children.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

Pennsylvania had the

31st

highest firearm death rate in the U.S.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Pennsylvania children.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Pennsylvania safer by passing School Violence Prevention Laws.

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Increase School Violence Prevention

Our model legislation known as the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act (SAVE Students Act) makes lifesaving violence prevention training, like Sandy Hook Promise’s Know the Signs programs, available to all students in grades K-12.

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68

children died by gun fire.

1077

Pennsylvanians died by suicide with a firearm.

31

mass shootings.

Data from the last reported year. See sources.

Mass Shootings in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvanians have endured several major mass shootings in recent years. In 2023, one person was killed and eight were wounded in a shooting during a private party at a community center in White Township, about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Nine people between the ages of 18 and 23 were shot, including a 22-year-old Pittsburgh man who died at the scene.

In 2018, at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, a gunman murdered 11 people and injured at least six others. The murderer posted anti-Semitic comments on social media before the attack, a key warning sign.
Read our Statement

Gun Laws in Pennsylvania

Enhanced background checks
Restricts certain semi-automatic rifles
Secure storage
Temporary transfer

Our Impact in Pennsylvania

Throughout Pennsylvania, Sandy Hook Promise has engaged youth & adults in our mission and prevention programs.

543k

Supporters in the state

1118

Volunteer Promise Leaders who help raise awareness & engage communities

663k

Program participants, including repeats, in 1,553 schools

5633

Students involved in 169 SAVE Promise Clubs throughout the state

Prevent gun violence in Pennsylvania

You can help make Pennsylvania a safe place for kids and for your whole community. We urge the legislature to pass proven policy solutions, including emergency temporary transfer and secure storage to prevent gun violence and tragedy. These policies keep the public safe from harm while protecting individual rights.

State Issue

Everyone experiences temporary moments of crisis. When that crisis is combined with a firearm, the outcomes can be deadly. Temporary transfer supports gun owners in crisis while protecting their rights and gets them help before things turn tragic.
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State Issue

Too often, children accidentally find firearms in their home. This can lead to the death of themselves and family members. Secure storage laws can prevent these tragedies and make it easier for gun owners to keep firearms away from their young sons and daughters.
Take Action
State Issue

Our model legislation known as the Safety and Violence Education for Students Act (SAVE Students Act) makes lifesaving violence prevention training, like Sandy Hook Promise’s Know the Signs programs, available to all students in grades K-12.
Take Action
Mark Barden
“We are proud to work with the bipartisan champions to ensure we're doing everything we can to protect our kids and that millions more students will be trained to know the signs of violence and act to save lives. Our work does not end here, we will continue to bring our prevention programs to schools and communities across the country and advocate for life-saving policies.”
Mark BardenSandy Hook Promise Co-Founder and Co-CEO

News and Resources

Stay informed about current issues and stories about preventing gun violence and promoting school safety.

Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Ohio Festival ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in IowaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Youth-Involved Shootings in Several U.S. CitiesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Thanks House Appropriators for Approving Increased STOP FundingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Weekend Mass Shootings in Texas and OklahomaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Increased Federal Budget to Strengthen School SafetyRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Responds to Federal Gun Policy ChangesRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Murder of Eight Children in Shreveport, LouisianaRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Action Fund Applauds Kansas Legislature for Unanimously Passing the Students Safe at School ActRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Bulverde, Texas School ShootingRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Meta and YouTube Being Held Liable for Social Media AddictionRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Shooting at Old Dominion UniversityRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on the Verdict and Warning Signs Revealed in the Trial of the Apalachee High School Shooter’s FatherRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mass Shooting in Austin, TexasRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Six Killed in Two Connected Florida ShootingsRead More
Press ReleaseNew Report Calls for Platform Transparency to Support Family Conversations About Firearm Content OnlineRead More
Press ReleaseFear and Disruption in Schools: Sandy Hook Promise Calls for Safe, Trusting Learning EnvironmentsRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Senate Passage to Advance Federal Funding for Safer SchoolsRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Statement on Mississippi Mass Shooting SpreeRead More
Press ReleaseSandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Leadership in the House to Advance Federal Funding for Safer SchoolsRead More

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