Sunday, May 5, 2013

May 1, 2013 Meeting



Upcoming Action-Events:

·      June 5, 2013                         CeaseFirePA trip to Harrisburg
·      May 30, 2013                        WQED Gun Violence Documentary, part 2 (7:30pm)
followed by live Gun Violence Forum (8pm)
·      June 6, 2013?                        CeaseFirePA + WFA South Hills Gun Violence Forum


Legislation to Watch:

·      PA-House Bill 805
o   This bill, introduced December 10, 2012, attacks local attempts to limit “the right to bear arms.” If passed, a successful legal challenge to local gun regulations, which entail gun ownership, possession, transfer, transportation, or ammunition, would make the municipality that attempted to create or sustain ANY gun regulations monetarily liable for the cost of the challengers’ legal fees, “damages,” and “costs.”

Forum

Revised Questions for Panelists

All questions try to get at the larger question of ‘what is the best way to prevent/reduce gun violence in OUR community?’

[Qs targeting legislators]
·      What are you doing to change laws to make records on gun violence easily and readily available to the public?
·      We are amenable to the licensing and registration procedures that accompany the ownership of animals and vehicles. We are also amenable to the restriction on these ownership rights in the event of dangerous or irresponsible use. What steps are you taking to make sure that the same amount of liability (and registration) is necessary for the owners and users of guns? 
·      Relatedly, what is your position on the lack of liability for gun manufacturers?
[Qs more broadly]
·      What are your concerns about providing safety for the people your organization supports?
·      How has your organization been impacted as a result of the increase in gun violence?
·      Law Enforcement: how is this impacting the ways in which you do your jobs?

Notes on Event

·      Group agreed that some educational components need to be present at the event
o   This includes helpful organizations and websites
o   This also includes fliers that include the laws that need to be advanced/blocked and local/state/national/international gun violence stats (as well as pushing for easier access to them).
§  -Info?  Stats on gun violence:
§  -malitia groups/patriot groups

·      Goal of the forum, from WFA perspective, is to provide the community with information to push people to action. People need to be shocked and angry and realize that Newtown could be our town (realize that it could happen HERE). Are these goals at odds with current forum being planned?
·      Note that the LWV is planning another event for the fall (more on this later).

Advertising

·      What?
o   Fliers
§  Title: South Hills Forum on Gun Violence  
§  Sub: Be Part of the solution!
o   Yard Signs
o   Online
o   Through partner orgs.
·      Where?
o   Unitarian Church (yard signs)
o   Southminster (electronic signs)
o   Libraries (Shelia’s library list)
o   WQED (Hazel to contact)
o   Strategically placed lawns w/ yard signs
o   Gyms and Coffee shops?

In Other News

·      Crickett makes guns for kids (hooray!), including one that was used when a Kentucky 5yr old shot his 2yr old sister…link to article HERE.
·      “Court Watch:” a program that asks local citizens to sit in on gun cases that go in front of local judges. Citizens are to watch the judges to make sure people get penalized properly.
·      WQED gun violence awareness documentary and town hall event to be held on May 30. Link to website HERE.