I read the essay Meredith Elizalde wrote about her son Nick, who was killed during a mass shooting at his school’s football game in September 2022 (“State leaders disdain gun victims,” Feb. 9, TribLive).
The reaction of lawmakers in Harrisburg to this mother’s grief is disturbing. The “condolences” from the office of President Pro Tempore Kim Ward are not accompanied by any plan to reduce gun violence. The “extreme disrespect” experienced by Elizalde from some members of the House Judiciary Committee and Ward at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address makes me angry, and I see their disregard for the pain caused by gun violence. These legislators should have the courtesy and courage to look this mother in the eyes and tell her why they will not support the most basic gun violence prevention legislation. Ward even declined to meet with this mother of a slain child.
To anyone who cares about the lives of children, please go to Harrisburg on Advocacy Day May 7 (CeaseFirePA.org) to demand that our legislators do something about gun violence. The House has passed three very reasonable gun safety bills, and the Senate Judiciary chair, Lisa Baker, will not even allow similar bills to come out of committee in the Senate. Please contact her and your state senator and insist that these latest bills be brought to the floor for a vote.
Vivienne Selia
Murrysville