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Congressman Evans Calls for Action on Common Sense Gun Reform

October 5, 2017

This week, in response to the horrific tragedy that took place in Las Vegas, and the continuing scourge of gun violence in Philadelphia, Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-02) hand-delivered a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro outlining our Commonwealth's need to use all resources possible to advocate for common sense gun reform.

The horror and tragedy that shook Las Vegas should be an unthinkable event in our country. Yet, tragically our nation has lost too many loved ones at the hands of gun violence. The city of Philadelphia knows all too well the lives lost at the hands of gun violence. Already, 2017 has seen our city experience its largest homicide epidemic since 2012. As of October 5, 2017 there were over 232 homicides in Philadelphia, meaning the homicide rate was 8 percent higher than it was this time last year according to data from the Philadelphia Police Department.

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Congressman Evans handing Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro letter outlining our Commonwealth’s need to use all resources possible to advocate for common sense gun reform.

Congressman Evans handing Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro letter outlining our Commonwealth's need to use all resources possible to advocate for common sense gun reform.

"We've been talking about common sense gun reform for years; the neighborhoods in our city, Commonwealth and across the country are long overdue," Congressman Evans said. "Gun violence is an incredibly perverse epidemic and we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and wait for things to change. It's time to put an end to the silence and inaction. If we are truly committed to strengthening our middle neighborhoods and building a stronger Philadelphia block by block, safety has to be a key part of our strategy. We will only see action on common sense gun reform when elected officials on the city, state, and federal level come together, stand unified and are ready to act."

"We are losing too many people to senseless acts of violence each and every day and now is our time for collective action," Attorney General Shapiro said. "The greatest expression of hope is our belief that things don't have to be this way in America or in Pennsylvania. This is a choice we make as a Commonwealth and a nation and a choice we can change when we rise up together."

In his letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro Congressman Evans said, "…I would ask that you consider using all appropriate legal action available to you to address the sale, use and trade in arms in the Commonwealth." The full text of Congressman Evans' letter to Attorney General Shapiro can be found here: http://bit.ly/2y1TJw8.

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Media Contact: Becca Brukman, 202-225-4001, Becca.Brukman@mail.house.gov