Gun violence in Pennsylvania is a pervasive and devastating issue, claiming a life every six hours, on average and is an epidemic that reaches every corner of the state. CeaseFirePA is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to ending this tragic cycle, so the Commonwealth’s communities are safer for everyone.
Since its inception in 2002, CeaseFirePA has established itself as a trusted voice and powerful force for change. The organization works tirelessly to amplify the voices of those most impacted by gun violence, advocating for lifesaving measures that enjoy broad public support.
In this month’s Perspective, we talk with Josh Fleitman, the campaign director for the organization. You can learn more about CeaseFirePA on their website at CeaseFirePA.org.
North Hills Monthly (NHM): What is CeaseFirePA’s mission and how does it impact the Pittsburgh region?
Josh Fleitman (Fleitman): We’re a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan gun organization dedicated to gun violence prevention and education. We do some lobbying, mostly focused on the state capital. We also do local work with municipalities, city governments, and local leaders. We sometimes get involved with federal and national organizations, but our niche is statewide and local campaigns. The core of our work is engaging everyday Pennsylvanians on the issue of gun violence.
NHM: What are some of CeaseFirePA’s key initiatives?
Fleitman: CeaseFirePA’s educational initiatives include the ”Deadly By Design” campaign, which highlights the deadly flaws in Pennsylvania’s gun safety system. By interviewing survivors of gun violence, we uncover stories that underscore the urgent need for improved safety policies. CeaseFirePA advocates for safe firearm storage requirements to prevent tragedies and ensure that lives are protected through basic safety measures. You can watch the videos at DeadlyByDesign.org.
In coalition building, CeaseFirePA has formed a public health coalition that unites doctors, trauma surgeons, nurses, and trauma safety coordinators who witness the devastating effects of gun violence firsthand. These professionals address the immediate aftermath of gun violence but are also seeking to implement upstream policies and programs to prevent gunshot injuries. By amplifying the voices of these healthcare professionals, we aim to influence local communities and state legislators to adopt preventative measures that reduce the number of gunshot victims in emergency rooms.
CeaseFirePA’s policy advocacy efforts focus on raising awareness and uniting people to push for changes in state laws that promote gun safety. We emphasize that these policies, such as safe storage requirements, universal background checks, and red flag laws, are not about infringing on gun rights but ensuring responsible gun ownership and saving lives. Our advocacy includes organizing a significant annual event in Harrisburg, where diverse groups rally to support sensible gun safety policies, demonstrating that true freedom encompasses both safety and the ability to live without the constant threat of gun violence.
NHM: How do you engage with local schools and youth organizations to promote gun safety and violence prevention?
Fleitman: One big way is by bringing them all together in an informed coalition to advocate for more state grant funding that supports community-based violence prevention and intervention programs. Also deploying “violence interrupters”—people who often have been involved in gun violence themselves and can therefore be credible messengers to de-escalate and mediate conflicts between individuals or groups to prevent them from boiling over into a shooting. The recent state budget includes $56.5 million in grants for organizations engaged in this crucial work, bringing the total to $230 million invested statewide over 4 years. This is a big reason we’ve seen homicides drop so dramatically in the past few years. There was a 27% decline in Pittsburgh in 2023 compared to 2022.
Additionally, CeaseFirePA has hosted panel discussions with state lawmakers, educators, school law enforcement, and parents to discuss strategies for keeping children safe at schools, fostering dialogue, and promoting actionable solutions.
NHM: What are some common misconceptions about gun violence that your organization addresses?
Fleitman: One of the biggest misconceptions is that gun violence is inevitable. That’s just not borne out by the facts. Suicide is a good example of this. Suicides are close to two-thirds of all gun deaths. We can stop suicide by interrupting the moment of impulsivity that happens when someone decides to kill themselves. If you can remove the lethal risk, a firearm, you can help save their life. This is where red flag laws come in.
Mass shootings aren’t inevitable, either. States with stronger gun safety laws don’t have as many mass shootings because of these laws. Things like an assault weapon ban and universal background checks are an effective means of prevention.
Another misunderstanding is “it’s not the guns, but rather mental health issues that cause gun violence.” It’s an oversimplification to say that. If you have a mental illness diagnosis, you’re more likely to be a victim than a perpetrator of gun violence. We need better mental healthcare, but it’s not the reason for gun violence. Easy access to guns is the real issue.
NHM: How do you advocate for policy changes at the local and state levels?
Fleitman: CeaseFirePA organizes meetings between lawmakers and constituents to advocate for gun safety and engages in media outreach through op-eds, letters to the editor, and press interviews. We bring people to the state capital annually and have a policy expert on-site to work with legislators.
We are building faith and education partnerships to create an enduring movement for legislative change. While public opinion shows strong support for gun safety legislation in Pennsylvania, many feel hopeless about making a difference. Despite the slow pace of progress, we achieved a significant victory in 2018 by passing a law to disarm domestic abusers in Pennsylvania.
Progress is not fast enough, but progress is possible if people who agree with our vision use their voices.
NHM: How can the community get involved with your organization?
Fleitman: We’re always looking for more people to strengthen our movement. If you want to get involved with us, we’ll help you find a way to get involved that matches your comfort level. Just go to our website and sign up for our email alerts under “Take Action.”
You can learn more about CeaseFirePA by visiting https://www.ceasefirepa.org.
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