Gun Safety Advocates Head To Harrisburg For Protest
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A group of about 70 people left Pittsburgh early this morning on a bus bound for Harrisburg.
They are advocates of gun background checks and other safety regulations and plan to participate in a protest this afternoon.
One by one, they filed into a bus heading to the Rally in the Rotunda.
"I want them to know that we're tired of it and we mean business," Connie Moore said.
For Moore, it's personal. Her son was shot and killed by a man who used an assault rifle. The suspect had a lengthy criminal background, but was still able to get his hands on the gun.
Right now in Pennsylvania, long guns ranging from a musket to an AK-47 can be sold to private sellers without a background check.
"Say you're selling at AK-47, that person does not have to go through a background check. That person does not have to exchange a name with you, give you any form of identification, even give you their real name," Rob Conroy said.
For Conroy and so many others, it doesn't seem right.
"I'm just here to help. It's just ridiculous. There's just so much gun violence and it's time for it to stop," Roxanne Epperson said.
"We register for a driver's license, fishing license and other things we want to use, so why don't those who want to use long rifles register their guns?" Otis McAliley said.
The group will gather at the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg, joining hundreds of others who feel passionately about changing things now.
"I have two grandchildren. One is turning 5 and one is turning 3 and I'm just very disturbed by what's going on," Kelsy Frank said.
Moore, who's been to the rally before, is hopeful that this year will be the one that opens lawmakers' eyes.
"My son's gone, but if I can save somebody else's child I'll go every month if I have to," Moore said.
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