{"id":2324317,"date":"2024-08-14T10:49:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T14:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-567m-price-tag-of-gun-violence-in-pennsylvania-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-14T10:57:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T14:57:36","slug":"the-567m-price-tag-of-gun-violence-in-pennsylvania-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-567m-price-tag-of-gun-violence-in-pennsylvania-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"The $567M price tag of gun violence in Pennsylvania &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-567m-price-tag-of-gun-violence-in-pennsylvania-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2324317&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the significant\u2064 economic and human impact of gun violence in Pennsylvania, highlighting that gun-related incidents result in 1,700 deaths and 2,000 injuries annually in the state. The \u200dfinancial burden of gun violence is immense, costing Pennsylvania approximately $12.1 billion each year, with taxpayers contributing nearly $567.4 million to these\u200b costs. \u2062Despite a general decline in gun violence statistics, \u200bconcerns\u200b remain due to \u2063increased incidents following the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>Experts emphasize the necessity for improved data \u200bcollection and effective enforcement of existing laws to combat gun violence. For instance, \u200cPennsylvania&#8217;s\u2062 law requiring domestic violence\u200d offenders to \u2064surrender firearms\u2063 has successfully removed guns from \u200c85% of those homes. Advocates call for the\u2063 adoption of \u2064&#8221;red flag&#8221; laws, which\u200b permit law enforcement to temporarily confiscate guns from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. States that have implemented such \u2063measures report positive\u200c outcomes, including reduced suicide \u200crates and prevention of mass shootings. However, critics argue that these laws may infringe upon constitutional rights.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">The $567M price tag of gun violence in Pennsylvania<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1729994\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; The debate over gun violence prevention often boils down to constitutionality and grim crime statistics.<\/p>\n<p>While the human impact of the issue can&rsquo;t be fully measured, it&rsquo;s not impossible to put some real numbers behind the fallout.<\/p>\n<p>Mary Kenah, policy council for Everytown for Gun Safety, told the House Democratic Policy Committee on Monday that, in an average year, gun-related violence claims the lives of 1,700. Another 2,000 are injured.<\/p>\n<p>The human toll comes at a high cost. Scott Bohn, executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, cited studies that show gun violence costs the state $12.1 billion annually, of which $567.4 million is paid by taxpayers.<\/p>\n<p>According to Dr. Vivek Ashok, fellow at the Policylab for Children&rsquo;s Hospital of Pennsylvania, the medical cost of gun violence across the US was over $492 billion in 2020. Roughly $78 billion of that total was incurred by children injured by firearms.<\/p>\n<p>Hospitalization for a firearm injury for a single child costs an average of $35,000, not including follow-up appointments, most of which is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, those impacted by gun violence show higher rates of PTSD, anxiety and other mental health disorders that further strain the health care system.<\/p>\n<p>On the whole, gun violence numbers are on the decline in Pennsylvania. According to Bohn, however, the statistics can be misleading. Violence reached unprecedented peaks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a proliferation of guns in U.S. households dovetail with major social and economic stressors.<\/p>\n<p>Numbers are still above pre-pandemic levels, Bohn said.<\/p>\n<p>The committee focused its questions on what law enforcement and community organizations need to do to continue that downward trend. Lawmakers asked how they could make an impact on gun violence and what policies could be enacted.<\/p>\n<p>Advocates like Adam Garber, the executive director of Ceasefire PA, say that improving data collection efficiency can largely help address the issue.<\/p>\n<p>In many cases, groups are working with statistics and records from years prior and bouncing between systems and structures to find them. Improving the speed with which information is shared and the breadth of that sharing would have a major impact and better enable law enforcement to act.<\/p>\n<p>According to Kenah, laws already on the books have proven to be extremely effective when properly enforced. For example, since enacted in 2018, Pennsylvania&rsquo;s law requiring those convicted of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-lawmakers-want-to-turn-wisconsin-into-second-amendment-sanctuary\/\" title=\"State Lawmakers Want To Turn Wisconsin Into \u2018Second Amendment Sanctuary\u2019\">domestic violence offenses<\/a> to relinquish firearms has led to guns being removed from 85% of offenders&rsquo; homes.<\/p>\n<p>She highlighted two issues that she said could save thousands of lives if properly addressed. The first is Extreme Risk Protection Orders &ndash; often called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/another-wave-of-portland-police-quit-amid-massive-spike-in-shootings-and-stabbings-fire-dept-responding-to-10-homeless-tent-fires-a-day\/\" title=\"Another Wave Of Portland Police Quit Amid Massive Spike In Shootings And Stabbings; Fire Dept. Responding To 10+ Homeless Tent Fires A Day\">red flag laws<\/a> &ndash;which allow law enforcement to temporarily remove guns from people who pose an immediate risk to themselves or others.<\/p>\n<p>Red flag laws have been enacted in 21 states. According to Kenah, the suicide rate dropped by 14% in the year following its enactment in Connecticut. In California, 58 mass shootings were prevented between the years 2016 and 2018.<\/p>\n<p>Critics say <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rep-scalise-red-flag-laws-are-unconstitutional\/\" title=\"Rep. Scalise: \u201cRed Flag\u201d Laws Are Unconstitutional\">red flag laws violate<\/a> the Fourth Amendment, which protects from unreasonable search and seizure. Hearings for protection orders take place without the gun owner present, draw further concern.<\/p>\n<p>Kenah also supports a ghost gun ban and universal background checks. Currently, residents only submit to a check when buying a handgun. Requiring electronic records would enable faster data sharing, too.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s pretty obvious that our caucus kind of rows in the same direction on this issue,&rdquo; said Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Kennett Square.<\/p>\n<p>She noted, however, that when anything relating to data collection comes up, gun rights advocates object to record-keeping as a privacy infringement.<\/p>\n<p>Bohn shrugged off the criticism as nothing more than &ldquo;talking points.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The first obligation of any elected official is public safety,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The economic impact of the firearms industry also remains up for debate. According to the Firearm Industry Trade Association, the industry and its employees pay over $10.9 billion in taxes each year. Gun rights lobbyists spent almost $16 million to influence American politics in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022 , gun violence prevention groups spent nearly $3 million on political races, of which Everytown for Gun Safety contributed nearly half.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1729994\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1729994\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The $567 million cost of gun violence in Pennsylvania (The Center Square) \u2013 The discussion surrounding gun violence prevention frequently centers on constitutional issues and alarming crime statistics. Although the human consequences of this problem are difficult to quantify, it is possible to assign some concrete figures to its repercussions. Mary Kenah, a policy advisor for Everytown for Gun Safety, informed the House Democratic Policy Committee on Monday that, on average, gun-related violence results in 1,700 fatalities each year and injures an additional 2,000 individuals. The human cost is substantial. Scott Bohn, executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, referenced studies indicating that gun violence costs the state approximately $12.1 billion annually, with taxpayers shouldering $567.4 million of that burden. Dr. Vivek Ashok from Policylab at Children\u2019s Hospital of Pennsylvania reported that medical expenses related to gun violence across the U.S. exceeded $492 billion in 2020; around $78 billion was attributed to injuries among children caused by firearms. The average hospitalization cost for a child injured by a firearm is about $35,000\u2014excluding follow-up care\u2014most of which is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Furthermore, those affected by gun violence experience higher rates of PTSD and anxiety disorders which further tax the healthcare system.<\/p>\n<p>Overall trends show a decline in gun violence numbers in Pennsylvania; however, Bohn cautioned that these statistics can be misleading due to unprecedented spikes following the COVID-19 pandemic when increased firearm ownership coincided with significant social and economic pressures\u2014current figures remain above pre-pandemic levels according to him.<\/p>\n<p>During discussions about how law enforcement and community organizations can sustain this downward trend in violence rates, lawmakers sought ways they could influence change through policy measures aimed at reducing gun-related incidents. Advocates like Adam Garber from Ceasefire PA emphasized that enhancing data collection processes could significantly address these issues since many organizations rely on outdated statistics while navigating various systems for information retrieval.<\/p>\n<p>Kenah pointed out existing laws have proven effective when enforced correctly; for instance, since its implementation in 2018 requiring individuals convicted of domestic abuse offenses to surrender their firearms has resulted in guns being removed from 85% of offenders&#8217; homes.<\/p>\n<p>She identified two critical areas where improvements could save thousands: Extreme Risk Protection Orders (commonly known as red flag laws), which allow authorities to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals posing immediate risks; these laws have been enacted across 21 states\u2014with Connecticut seeing a reported 14% drop in suicide rates following its introduction\u2014and California preventing numerous mass shootings between 2016-2018 as examples.<\/p>\n<p>Critics argue such red flag laws infringe upon Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures since hearings occur without notifying firearm owners beforehand\u2014a concern raised during discussions.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally supporting measures like banning ghost guns and implementing universal background checks\u2014which currently only apply when purchasing handguns\u2014Kenah believes electronic record-keeping would facilitate quicker data sharing too.<\/p>\n<p>Rep Christina Sappey remarked on her caucus&#8217;s unified stance regarding this issue but noted resistance arises whenever data collection topics emerge due largely because advocates for gun rights view record-keeping as an invasion into privacy matters\u2014a point dismissed by Bohn who stated public safety should be any elected official&#8217;s primary responsibility.<\/p>\n<p>Debate continues over the economic implications tied directly back into firearms manufacturing: According To Firearm Industry Trade Association reports indicate industry taxes exceed over $10 billion annually while lobbying efforts saw nearly $16 million spent influencing political landscapes within America during just one year alone (2021). In contrast advocacy groups focused on preventing such violent acts allocated close nearly three million dollars towards political campaigns throughout last year (2022)\u2014with Everytown contributing almost half thereof!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2324318,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/ar-15.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[35077,34991,5836,35975],"class_list":["post-2324317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-economic-impact","tag-gun-violence","tag-pennsylvania","tag-public-safety"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/ar-15.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2324317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2324317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2324317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2324318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2324317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2324317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2324317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}