Today the Judiciary Committee of the Pennsylvania House Legislature are voting on several bills that could help dry-up the flow of illegal handguns that contribute to record homicide rates in many Pennsylvania cities. Read more.

In early October, a group of 38 Anabaptists gathered in Philadelphia to talk about the issue of handgun violence. The seminar focused on prayer, education and action in response to the reality of increased gun violence in our society. Participants shared stories of how gun violence impacted their lives and also how churches were responding and building peace. One session looked at the way legal handgun sales in Pennsylvania enter illegal markets, increasing the deadliness of violence, and also ways the flow of handguns can be interrupted. The day concluded with an opportunity to strategize how the church could take action, a prayerful commissioning to action and letter writing to political and church leaders encouraging them to support efforts to reduce handgun violence.

If you'd like a PDF copy of the report on this gathering, send me an e-mail (click on the envelope icon at the top of this post).

The two bills being voted on today are:
• HB 22 – One Handgun A Month – would limit a person who is not a licensed collector or law-enforcement officer to the purchase of one handgun per 30 day period.
• HB 29 – Lost or Stolen – would require the legal owner of a handgun to report it lost or stolen within 24 hours of discovering its loss or theft.

Pennsylvania is known as a state where the National Rifle Association maintains a strong lobby. The NRA opposes both of these bills (read their statement here) despite the fact that polls show a majority of Pennsylvanians and gun owners support measures like these.

During the gathering in October, one speaker noted how important it was for persons interested in reducing handgun violence and illegal trafficking in handguns to raise their voices.

If you need to look up your legislator, go here.

If you're interested in information about national gun violence realities, visit the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV)