Pennsylvania

In Your State

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has had 138 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. in 2021.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Pennsylvania children in 2021.

Pennsylvania had the

31st

highest firearm death rate in the U.S. in 2021.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Pennsylvania children in 2021.

Take Action Now

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

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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111

children died by gun fire in 2021.

997

Pennsylvanians died by suicide with a firearm in 2021.

mass shootings in 2023.

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.

118583

Supporters in the state

732

Volunteer Promise Leaders who help raise awareness & engage communities

424k

Trained students and adults in 1,003 schools to Know the Signs and prevent violence

4488

Students involved in 142 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

Pass Temporary Transfer Laws

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

Pass Secure Storage Laws

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.

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State Issue

Increase School Violence Prevention

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“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