PCCD and CeaseFirePA host session on firearm suicide prevention
Dec. 7 — WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and CeaseFirePA recently collaborated to host the fourth stakeholder listening session for PCCD’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This engaging meeting brought together local and regional experts and organizations to discuss vital strategies and policies aimed at preventing suicides involving firearms.
“While many people think of mass shootings and community violence when they hear the term ‘gun violence,’ the fact is that most firearm deaths in Pennsylvania are from suicides,” stated Samantha Koch, Interim Director of PCCD’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention. “We know firearm suicides are preventable, and by fostering open and honest discussions, we can develop effective strategies to bolster support for individuals in crisis, reduce access to lethal means, and ultimately save lives.”
In 2022, there were 1,941 firearm-related deaths in Pennsylvania, with over half (55%) attributed to suicides involving firearms, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, firearms are involved in the majority of suicides (54%) and homicides (78%) across the Commonwealth.
The state has made substantial investments in public safety and health initiatives in recent years to combat this pressing issue, yielding positive results. Notably, the total number of homicides statewide dropped by 16% in 2023, outperforming the national average decline of 12%. Philadelphia was among 29 counties in Pennsylvania that reported a decrease in homicides in 2023, maintaining this trend in 2024, with homicide rates down by an impressive 40% year-to-date.
Despite these advancements, the impact of gun violence continues to affect too many Pennsylvanians. Firearm-related injuries now rank as the leading cause of death for children and adolescents, surpassing deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents.
In a related matter, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser supported legislation aimed at protecting small businesses from federal overreach. He voted in favor of H.R. 7198, known as the Prove It Act of 2024, which seeks to modernize the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and address the excessive regulatory challenges faced by small businesses.
Currently, small businesses are experiencing a significant increase in compliance costs, spending seven times more per employee compared to medium-sized businesses—a rise from five times more in 2014. Rep. Meuser highlighted that the current administration has imposed $1.7 trillion in regulatory burdens, resulting in 326 million hours of paperwork for small businesses.
The RFA, originally designed to mitigate the economic impact of regulations on small businesses, has not been updated since 2010. This stagnation has left small businesses vulnerable to the rising costs of regulatory compliance. H.R. 7198 addresses these concerns by mandating federal agencies to evaluate the economic implications of their regulations on small businesses, consider alternatives, and engage with the Small Business Administration’s Chief Counsel for Advocacy early in the process. It also allows small businesses to petition the SBA for a review of proposed regulations, promoting transparency and fairness.
“Burdensome regulations and red tape make it harder and more costly to start a business and achieve the American dream,” Meuser remarked. “We must ensure that bureaucracy does not interfere with innovation, entrepreneurship, and healthy competition.” H.R. 7198 passed the House with a vote of 208 to 196 and has now been referred to the Senate for further consideration.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has been emphasizing the significance of career and technical education. Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Deputy Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe visited the Wallenpaupack Area School District to showcase how the district is preparing students for high-demand careers through its career and technical education initiatives.
During the visit, PDE officials also assessed the proposed site for a future regional career and technology center (CTC). “Career and technical education is essential for equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic economy,” stated Deputy Secretary Rowe. “It is crucial that every student, regardless of their location, has access to quality training that leads to good-paying, in-demand jobs. The establishment of the Wayne/Pike Career and Technical Center is a key step toward closing the educational access gap.”
With a $61 million investment aimed at enhancing career and technical education opportunities, the Shapiro Administration has also increased funding for K-12 public education by over $1.5 billion, targeting resources to schools in most need.
While the Wallenpaupack Area School District currently offers its own career and technical education classes, Wayne and Pike counties remain the only two counties in Pennsylvania without a regional CTC. Recognizing a community need for these services, Wallenpaupack Area School District has partnered with Wayne Highlands, Western Wayne, and Delaware Valley school districts to establish the first-ever Wayne/Pike Career and Technical Center. This initiative aims to fill a crucial gap in access to career training.
A feasibility study is now underway to determine the new CTC’s size and scope, which will be situated on the Wallenpaupack Area School District’s campus behind the North Primary School.
