Governor Wolf Devotes Additional $35 Million in Funding to Gun Violence Prevention; Pennsylvania Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Applaud

The Pennsylvania chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf for his announcement of an additional $35 million in gun violence prevention funding, as part of his final state budget proposal. The funding would come in the form of violence intervention program grants overseen by the Pennsylvania Commission for Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Earlier this year, Wolf announced another $15 million investment in violence intervention grants through the American Rescue Plan. 

“Renewing and increasing our investment in proactive violence intervention strategies is crucial to combating gun violence in Pennsylvania,” said Vicki Brooks, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We are very pleased that Governor Wolf continues to show leadership and provide important support on the state level during this critical moment in the gun violence prevention movement.”

In an average year in Pennsylvania, 1,628 people die by guns and 3,058 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Pennsylvania $12.1 billion each year, of which $567.4 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Pennsylvania can be found here.