CeaseFirePA to Endorse State Rep Candidates Tomorrow

CeaseFirePA plans to endorse a number of state house candidates tomorrow. Here is the advance notice on some of them:

State Rep. [Thaddeus] Kirkland leading legislators in Pennsylvania, working toward a statewide lost or stolen handgun reporting requirement, and helped his own city of Chester to pass the reform locally. Walt Waite is running to replace Rep Bryan Lentz, who has lead the fight to close the deadly Florida Concealed Carry Gun Loophole, which allows criminals to carry a concealed gun in PA using an out of state permit. Shannon Meehan is challenging long time incumbent Rep. Nick Micozzie, who voted against a statewide lost or stolen handgun reporting requirement in 2008, and just this month voted against considering a bill to close the Florida Loophole, despite hearing testimony from every leading law enforcement group in the state in favor of doing so. And Margo Davidson personally felt the impact of gun violence when her own brother was murdered by a criminal using an illegal gun. All four candidates have proven their commitment to carrying this mission to Harrisburg in order to protect their communities.

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Rep. [Mike] Gerber, Rep. [Tim] Briggs, and Rep. [Rick] Taylor are three of the strongest voices in the PA Legislature, working toward commonsense reforms to reduce gun violence. All three are strong proponents of legislation requiring that lost or stolen handguns be reported missing to the police, and all have worked to introduce legislation to close the deadly Florida Concealed Carry Loophole, which allows criminals to carry concealed guns in PA using an out of state permit. Mark Painter is running against Tom Quigley who not only voted in favor of passing the NRA’s “shoot first” castle doctrine expansion bill – but also voted to shut down all debate on the issue, stopping the democratic process and blocking consideration to of legislation to close the Florida Loophole. In April 2008, Quigley voted against a statewide lost or stolen handgun reporting requirement. Only months later, a school shooting was averted at Pottstown High School because a father reported his guns missing. Painter supports these initiatives and will help continue the effort in Harrisburg.