HARRISBURG, PA — In a decisive move to bolster the fight against gun violence, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-02 on Monday, re-establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). This initiative aims to address the pervasive issue of gun violence through a coordinated and comprehensive approach.
The OGVP’s primary objective is to consolidate efforts across various state agencies to develop a unified strategy aimed at reducing gun-related deaths, injuries, and crimes. Under the leadership of a newly appointed Director, the office will employ evidence-based practices to enhance existing state programs and introduce innovative violence prevention initiatives.
Governor Shapiro, emphasizing the urgency of the matter, stated, “I’ve spoken to too many Pennsylvanians who’ve lost loved ones to gun violence – that’s why today, my Administration took real action to re-establish and resource Pennsylvania’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention.” The Governor’s approach involves a collaborative effort, bringing together public safety and health experts, gun violence survivors, advocates, and leaders from state and local agencies.
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis elaborated on the broader strategy, noting the importance of community-based programs supported by the bipartisan state budget. “We’re taking a comprehensive approach to make Pennsylvania communities safer and Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order re-establishing an Office of Gun Violence Prevention at PCCD is one more piece of that puzzle,” he remarked. Davis highlighted an upcoming listening tour to gather community input, which will significantly inform the office’s work.
The impact of Pennsylvania’s previous investments in public safety is evident. In 2023, the state witnessed a 16 percent decrease in homicides, surpassing the national average of 13 percent. Philadelphia alone reported a 23 percent reduction in homicides in 2023, with a further 36 percent decrease noted in 2024. Despite these gains, over 1,600 Pennsylvanians still fall victim to gun-related injuries annually, marking the state’s firearm fatality rate as higher than its neighbors.
The re-establishment of the OGVP is timely, following the White House’s Safer States Initiative, which advocates for state-level offices to synchronize policies and resources aimed at gun violence reduction. Pennsylvania’s OGVP will collaborate with the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and similar offices nationwide.
Key functions of the OGVP include forming an advisory group composed of national and community experts, developing a comprehensive gun violence prevention plan, and establishing a Gun Violence Data Dashboard in partnership with the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Human Services. This dashboard will serve as a centralized resource for tracking gun violence statistics and trends.
Furthermore, the office aims to secure non-state funding to support ongoing research and strategy implementation, improve victim services through PCCD’s Office of Victims’ Services, and promote firearm safety practices alongside the Department of Health’s Division of Violence Prevention.
Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Pennsylvanians. As the OGVP begins its mission, the focus will remain on fostering a safer environment where communities can thrive free from the fear of gun violence.
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