have a lasting traumatic effect on children; and
WHEREAS, Sixty-two percent of firearm deaths in this
Commonwealth are suicides; and
WHEREAS, Suicides are largely impulsive and preventable,
since 71% of individuals who attempt suicide decided to do so
within an hour of making the decision; and
WHEREAS, Beyond the human toll and loss of life, gun violence
costs the Commonwealth $8.5 billion every year in health care,
lost income and other expenses; and
WHEREAS, The same public health approach can be taken with
gun violence as the public health approach taken in numerous
other areas to promote safety, including vehicle safety and
accident prevention and smoking prevention and adverse health
impact awareness; and
WHEREAS, The American Medical Association has recognized gun
violence as a public health crisis and has called on state
governments to enact gun safety legislation; and
WHEREAS, Gun violence kills and injures thousands of
residents of this Commonwealth every year and has a lasting
effect on the loved ones of victims who suffer with
psychological effects, including high rates of PTSD and
substance abuse; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
epidemic of gun violence is a public health crisis that requires
a comprehensive and urgent public health response to reduce the
number of firearm-related incidents.
20210HR0044PN0411 - 2 -
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