Team Leaders:
Team Mission
In June of 2024, the Surgeon General of the US declared Gun violence to be a Public Health Crisis. It is also a uniquely American crisis, as we experience 10 times the gun violence as the rest of the developed world. He asks for a collective effort of all Americans, public and private, working to reduce the carnage. We hope to be part of the solution as our team advocates for common sense measures to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, and looks to build and work with a coalition of groups to spread the message of peaceful solutions to conflict, and a safer America.
2026 Meeting Dates
To Be Determined
A “Common Agenda”
Gun Violence in America is on the rise, and is a growing Public Health Crisis. It should be treated as such. America needs to take the same holistic approach to this epidemic as we did with drunk driving, smoking, and the opioid crisis. COMMON AGENDA is a statewide coalition of groups working to end gun violence.
—Gun violence claims the lives of about
1,900 Pennsylvanians each year.
Our team’s approach is to focus on supporting these six main policy initiatives:
Universal Background Checks
Right now, in most states it is legal to sell guns privately without a background check, including long guns in Pennsylvania. We believe all sellers of firearms should undergo a universal background check.
Bills in PA on this topic:
- HB 235, 34 cosponsors
- PA House Bill HB714 passed the full House in May of 2023 and is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee waiting for consideration. It would close the loophole on long gun private sales, like the AR-15.
Federal Bills:
- HR 8, passed the US House
- HR 1446 (close Charleston Loophole – mandating no gun purchase until background check is completed), 145 sponsors in US House
- SB 529, Chris Murphy bill, has 45 cosponsors in the US Senate
ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Orders)
ERPOs (also known as Red Flag laws) permit the confiscation of firearms from someone presenting a danger to themselves or others.
- PA House Bill HB1018 passed the full House in May of 2023 and is now in the PA Senate Judiciary Committee waiting for consideration.
Report Lost or Stolen Firearms to Police
This measure has been proven to cut down on the illegal gun trade.
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HB 980, 34 co-sponsors was voted out of the PA House Judiciary Committee, and failed a vote in the Full House.
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SB 217, 15 co-sponsors
Firearms Safety Training - Mandatory
We believe that in order to own a gun responsibly, one must be trained to use it safely.
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House Rep. Chris Sappey just introduced a bill; more information is coming soon on this.
Safe Storage
Mandatory safe storing of unloaded firearms, which are to be locked or in a gun safe in homes with children under the age of 18.
- HB1629, 64 co-sponsors in PA House
Assault Weapons Ban
HB336 is in the House Judiciary Committee as of January 2024, 52 co-sponsors
Items 1, 2, and 3 above are the major points of the Common Agenda statewide coalition against gun violence, of which we are proud to be a part.
Each of these main topics is featured below (click the name to open a more detailed guide). Also, under each topic is a list of current bills to watch. Ask your state and federal Representatives and Senators to cosponsor these bills!
March 2022: A Letter to (and from) President Biden
Click below to read our recent letter to the White House — and the response we received!
President Biden & GVP Policy
“We keep sending kids to school drills on how to hide against school shooters, and we ask ourselves: Is this normal? We are tired of accepting fear as a response to tragedy, instead of taking action to make our communities safer. It’s time to stop the next school shooting.”
– March For Our Lives
Watch the video on Twitter HERE.
Learn more at https://marchforourlives.com/generation-lockdown/
Join the fight: TEXT “isthisnormal” to 954-954
Action Alerts
Click the links below for MORE easy ways you can help end gun violence, by taking action RIGHT NOW!
- Let’s get your UU Congregation to join the Common Agenda Coalition! We currently have three UU Congregations on the Common Agenda Coalition. Welcome to the UU Congregation of Erie! Here is the letter I sent to my minister and leaders in my UU. Please consider doing the same and use this letter as a model to write your own.
- Call to action: Sign the petition – no firearms on the Capitol Grounds!
https://www.newtownactionalliance.org/ban-members-of-congress-from-carrying-on-capitol-grounds
- We need your help against “ghost guns,” unregistered firearms assembled at home by consumers from readily available, unregulated “parts.” “Ghost guns” are legal and can be made in just an hour with no background check required. Please join us in telling President Biden that the “ghost gun” loophole must be CLOSED! https://ceasefirepa.salsalabs.org/ghostgunsbiden/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=edbb65ef-6785-4773-976b-645767bf552d
- Check out “Legislation We Support” in the right-hand column of this page. Let’s contact our PA House Reps and Senators and ask them to cosponsor these bills! Check here if you’re unsure who your legislators are: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/
Call to Action: Legislative Issues
Gun Violence is a national health epidemic and is getting worse. Here are two ways you can help! Please contact your state representatives to support and cosponsor two new gun safety bills introduced within the last month.
These bills are of special importance (as of October 2021).
The Common Agenda:
Bills to Watch (PA State Bills)
Background Checks: HB 235, 34 cosponsors, SB 88, 16 cosponsors
ERPO: NEW Todd Stevens (R), Jennifer O’Mara (D), HB 1903, 25 cosponsors, SB 134, 16 cosponsors
Lost & Stolen Guns: HB 980, 34 cosponsors, SB 217 15 cosponsors
OTHER BILLS we care about: Safe Storage, HB 237, 18 cosponsors, NEW Gun Safety Training, HB 1846, Chris Sappey, 19 cosponsors
Upcoming Events
CANDLELIGHT VIGILS at the 10-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy are happening all around the state.
Partner Links
Local Groups
PA State Groups
National Groups
- Giffords for Gun Safety
- Everytown for Gun Safety
- Brady United
- Guns Down America
- Sandy Hook Promise
- Doctors for America
Resources
Daily News
“Common Agenda” Topic Guides:
Additional Resources:
Newsworthy
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