HARRISBURG - Advocates on opposite sides of the emotional national debate over issues involving guns and violence made their case at separate rallies Wednesday at the state Capitol.
Speakers at rallies sponsored by Pennsylvania Responsible Citizens and CeaseFirePA referred to last month's shooting that killed 20 students and six educators at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., and discussed state legislation dealing with guns, but the similarities ended there.
Hundreds attended the rallies timed for the first week of the new legislative session when both the House and Senate met to consider bills.
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a resolution Wednesday to create an advisory committee to study the underlying causes of violent crime, including "mass shootings."
The resolution refers to common themes in many violent events that need to be examined including "mental illness and mental health treatment, keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, school security, bullying, gang-related activity, educational issues and cultural influences, including violent video games."
As freezing winds blew off the Susquehanna River, those attending a morning rally on the Capitol steps by Responsible Citizens heard calls to protect the Second Amendment and block efforts by the Obama administration to implement new federal gun measures.
"We need to celebrate our rights," said state Rep. Jeffrey Pyle, R-60, Ford City.
At CeaseFire's indoor noontime rally, several parents who lost children because of gun violence called for a new effort to enact tougher state gun safety laws.
"I'm tired of watching children die," said Mary Beth Hacke of Pittsburgh whose 14-month-old son was killed by a random shooting.
Pennsylvania needs to ban assault weapons, require universal background checks for gun buyers and limit magazine clips, said state Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-153, Abington.
"Let's not let technology and weaponry trump common sense and humanity," she said.
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12, Cranberry Twp., touted his new bill to prohibit enforcement of any new federal registration, restriction or ban on privately owned firearms, magazines and ammunition in the state.
"Passage of my legislation will send the message there will never be additional gun control, anywhere in Pennsylvania," he said.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com