Lost during gun control conversations, advocates say, is consideration for the role of firearms in suicides.

While the gun violence debate frequently centers around mass shootings and illegal gun crimes, roughly 200 activists who filled the Capitol rotunda steps on Tuesday said that more attention should be paid to the hundreds lost each year to firearm-involved suicides. 

Amid all the floor debates, press conferences and committee hearings, the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s newest co-sponsorship memos can get lost in the shuffle. That’s why The PLS Reporter rounds up some of the most noteworthy co-sponsorship memos each week, so you can stay informed of what’s going on in the Capitol.

 

In this week’s feature are memos for proposals that would enact more safeguards to cut down on wrongful convictions, increase daycare safety through smoke detector inspections and expand access to solar energy.

Governor Tom Wolf (D) joined Mayor Jim Kenney (D), members of the General Assembly, City Council, and Congress Thursday in applauding the efforts of Philadelphia Police in arresting an alleged drug dealer in North Philadelphia Wednesday night. He also joined them in calling for more legislation to prevent such assaults on police from happening again. 
 
“I will continue to move forward with efforts to reduce gun violence to ensure that we are doing everything we can to prevent a situation like this from occurring again,” he said. “This type of terror should never happen in our commonwealth.”

Thirty-one people died after mass shootings in Ohio and Texas last weekend, prompting Pennsylvania Democrats to call for stronger gun laws before the Keystone State suffers another mass shooting of its own. 

Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday stopped short of calling for a special session to address gun violence, but the York County Democrat made clear that he wants to see movement on major gun-related bills this session. 

In the wake of two mass shootings over the weekend that left 30 dead and dozens more injured in Ohio and Texas, Gov. Tom Wolf is calling upon state lawmakers to pass gun reform legislation that would strengthen background checks and temporarily remove guns from the hands of those who are deemed dangerous by a court. 

Wolf ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Monday in remembrance of the victims, but urged the General Assembly to find legislative solutions to gun access, poverty and mental health care.