PA. FAVORS LIMIT ON GUN BUYS ACCORDING TO NEW FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL

Philadelphia Daily News 3/25/2009

kidsandguns.org

Each year, Pennsylvania residents are at greater risk as the number of people who access illegal guns increases.

Consider These Facts

IN PENNSYLVANIA:

• Gun violence is responsible for the deaths of 1,200 people each year.
  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  
  
• In 2007, Pennsylvania had 719 homicides; 73% result from the use of firearms.
  "Crime in the U.S, 2007" U.S. Department of Justice, FBI
  
  
• In 2006 there were 1,361 deaths and 1,691 hospitalizations in Pennsylvania due to firearm-related injuries.
  Pennsylvania State Injury Indicators Report 2006
  
  
• "The National Healthy People 2010" objective of the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services is to reduce firearm-related deaths to 4.9 per 100,000. Pennsylvania's rate is almost three times that goal.
  Pennsylvania State Injury Indicators Report 2006
  
  
• Pennsylvania has the highest rate in the nation of black homicide victims—29.52 murders per 100,000 population—which equates to more then six times the overall U.S. rate for victims of all races. 81% of those homicides were committed with handguns.
  CeasefirePA and Report from the Violence Policy Center
  
  
• Over $125 million dollars is spent each year on the immediate health care needs of shooting victims. Of this amount, taxpayers pay $90 million for medical care for uninsured victims.
  CeasefirePA
  
  
• Philadelphia has the highest number of gun homicides of any city in the U.S.
  CeasefirePA
  
  
• Harrisburg, the state capitol of Pennsylvania, has the highest per capita homicide rate caused by gun violence.
  CeasefirePA
  
  
• In 2006, guns were involved in 8,500 robberies in Pennsylvania
  U.S. Department of Justice—Federal Bureau of Investigation
  
  
• In 2007, overall gun-related crime in Pennsylvania jumped 28 percent.
  Pennsylvania State Police Uniform Crime Reporting System
  
  
• In 2005 the rate of gun violence increased twice as fast in areas of Pennsylvania other than Philadelphia and Allegheny counties.
  CeasefirePA
  
  
• 11 law enforcement officers have been shot and killed in Pennsylvania since 2005. 8 police officers were fatally shot in the last three years: 5 of them in Philadelphia and 3 of them in Pittsburgh.
  Philadelphia Inquirer, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
  
  
• More of the crime-related guns recovered in New York City come from Pennsylvania than from the entire State of New York. Pennsylvania is the top source of crime-related guns recovered in the cities of Camden and Trenton, New Jersey.
  CeaseFirePA
  
  

Poll data show Pennsylvania residents support stronger gun laws:

• 66% of Pennsylvania residents favor strengthening gun laws.
  Center for Opinion Research, Franklin and Marshall College Poll. March 2009
  
  
• 71% of Pennsylvanians who were likely 2008 voters supported a statewide limit on handgunpurchases to one gun a month.
  Lake Research Partners. March 2007
  
  
• 81% of Pennsylvanians who were likely 2008 voters supported legislation requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen guns.
  Lake Research Partners. March 2007
  
  

IN THE UNITED STATES:

• An average of 75,000 people are killed or injured by guns each year.
  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005)
  
  
• 8 children die everyday from gun violence.
  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  
  
• More deaths result annually from gun-inflicted injuries than from motor vehicle injuries and poisoning.
  National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  
  
• In 2006, firearms were used in 68% of homicides and 52% of suicides.
  National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 56, No. 16, June 11, 2008
  
  
• Homicide is the second most common cause of death for individuals 25-34 year of age and the third most common cause of death for individuals 13-24 years of age. Firearms were used in 78% and 38% of these deaths, respectively.
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  
  
• The rate of gun deaths among children under age 15 in the U.S. is far higher than the combined rate of gun deaths for children under age 15 in 25 other industrialized countries.
  Harvard University School of Public Health

Poll data show Americans support stronger gun laws.

• 65% of Americans favor strengthening the federal assault weapon ban, which expired in 2004.
  
  
• 51% of gun owners favor strengthening the federal assault weapon ban.

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