WHEREAS, On October 18, 2024, a lone gunman fired 50 rounds of ammunition into a crowd in Fotterall Square, injuring seven people, including a 16-year-old girl who was shot in the chest; and
WHEREAS, Gun violence is a perpetuating problem in Philadelphia and in communities across Pennsylvania and the nation, impacting the safety, well-being, and livelihoods of all residents, especially in vulnerable communities. According to the City Controller’s office, as of October 20, 2024, the City has witnessed 714 nonfatal and 185 fatal shooting victims; and
WHEREAS, While the rate of homicides has decreased, they continue to disproportionately affect underserved and marginalized communities, contributing to trauma and exacerbating social and economic inequalities; and
WHEREAS, Gun violence is not only a public safety issue but also a public health crisis, causing not just physical injuries but also emotional trauma and long-lasting effects on gun violence survivors, their friends, their families, and neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Addressing gun violence requires a comprehensive approach that includes law enforcement efforts, violence prevention programs, and community-based interventions; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia has passed and the Mayor has signed into law a variety of measures aimed at reducing gun violence, including a ban on the devices that can be used to increase the rate-of-fire of firearms in the City; however, effective gun violence prevention requires the collaboration among the City, the Pennsylvania legislature, and the U.S. Congress to make our residents safer; and
WHEREAS, The people of Philadelphia, particularly the youth, deserve to live in a safe, thriving environment, free from the threat of gun violence, and it is the responsibility of City leaders to ensure we advocate for common-sense gun safety policies to achieve this goal; and
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby calls on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to take swift action and pass legislation that prohibits the sale, manufacture, sell, or transfer of any large capacity magazines consisting of more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
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