Letter to the editor: Gun legislation could prevent suicides
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As we continue to experience excessive gun violence in Pennsylvania, we must question why a number of our state legislators oppose legislation to ban ghost guns; to upgrade universal background checks of gun purchasers; to require safe storage of guns and to establish Extreme Risk Protection Orders, aka a Red Flag Law, to allow temporary removal of firearms from persons deemed a danger to themselves or others, determined through judicial review. Notably, other states that have adopted those types gun laws have experienced declines in gun related deaths.
The fact is, approximately 60% of gun deaths in Pennsylvania are suicides. Though there are other ways to commit suicide, gun suicides are usually fatal. This is why I’m particularly dismayed that my Senator, Devlin Robison, has persistently opposed gun legislation, particularly implementation of an ERPO law, that could reduce suicides in Pennsylvania. In the time it would take to unlock a gun from safe storage, a person in crisis could decide to live and seek help.
Significantly, our veterans are more likely than the general population to die by suicide, more often using a gun. So, it’s unfathomable that Sen. Robinson, a veteran himself, who in his first term has otherwise demonstrated commitment to the welfare of veterans, would persist in his opposition to gun legislation that could save the lives of veterans as well as his other constituents who elected him. Please tell Sen. Robinson to do his job and support gun violence prevention legislation!
Cheryl Rampelt
Sewickley
If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, email it to Sewickley Herald editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.