Behind most gun deaths is a system that’s designed to be deadly
It’s time to face the truth: gun violence isn’t random or inevitable. It’s not driven by mental health, video games, or too few armed guards. It’s driven by easy access to guns. A basic, life-saving gun safety system would close the gaps that allow firearms into fatal hands. Now, Pennsylvanians are sharing the losses they’ve suffered under a system that is Deadly by Design. Because they know the best way to save the next life is to change that system.
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Hometown Hero
A police chief’s killer had a homemade machine gun.the full story ›: Hometown HeroSHARE
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“You may not be as lucky as I was”
the full story ›: “You may not be as lucky as I was”Joey Vallarian was struggling as a recent high school graduate in rural Mississippi. He was under a lot of pressure and had given off multiple “red flags.” But there was no legal mechanism to put time and space between him and his gun. He’s lucky he survived. This is Joey’s story.
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A middle school dance marred by violence
the full story ›: A middle school dance marred by violenceJohn Gillette was a beloved 8th grade teacher at Parker Middle School in Edinboro, PA. He was a coach and a role model. He was Abby’s dad. On April 24, 1998, it all came to a horrific end at the school dance, when a 14-year-old student was able to access his father’s unsecured gun and use it to murder John and injure another teacher and two other students. This is John’s story, as told by his daughter, Abby.
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“He taught me how to be a person”
the full story ›: “He taught me how to be a person”Nick Elizalde was a normal high school student who loved history, science, and Marvel. In September, 2022, he was playing a football game with friends at Roxborough High School in Philly. They were ambushed by six young men, using ammunition purchased by someone who should’ve never been able to buy it or own a gun. This is Nick’s story, as told by his mother, Meredith.
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A local law might have saved William
the full story ›: A local law might have saved WilliamWhen William was murdered, Philadelphia had local ordinances that may have stopped the killer from obtaining the gun. But the rules couldn’t be enforced because of state “preemption” of local gun laws. This is William’s story as told by his father, Stanley.
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“They say time heals all wounds, but it doesn’t”
the full story ›: “They say time heals all wounds, but it doesn’t”Before her son was taken by firearm homicide, Edie lost her husband and brother-in-law to gun suicide. It’s a highly-impulsive act where having easy access to an unsecured gun drastically increases the chances of dying. These are Micky’s and Mark’s gun suicide stories, as told by Edie.
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“I came as close to death as a person can come”
the full story ›: “I came as close to death as a person can come”The deadliest mass killing in modern Pennsylvania history was made possible by an AR-15. It’s the weapon of choice for mass shooters. And sales have skyrocketed in the last 20 years because of a policy choice. This is Dan’s story of barely surviving the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
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Love, control, and a deadly weapon
the full story ›: Love, control, and a deadly weaponWhen Lynnette’s mother decided to leave her controlling husband, things got violent. If there was a way to temporarily remove the gun from the situation, it could have gone differently. This is Lynnette’s story of her parents.
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“His life would have been beautiful right now”
the full story ›: “His life would have been beautiful right now”Kareem was killed by an illegal gun that was trafficked into Allentown by a suburban couple who took advantage of a long-abused loophole to evade accountability. A simple law to require that lost and stolen guns be reported could have made the difference. This is Jeani’s story of her son, Kareem.
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It could happen to any of us
the full story ›: It could happen to any of usBoaz was going through life struggles that could send any of us into a crisis. If his gun had been securely stored, maybe that short pause in access would have been enough to allow him to still be with us. This is Dan’s story of his step-brother, Boaz.
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