Gun Safety in a Civil Society

A League study conducted during 2012 - 2014

Unfettered gun ownership in Allegheny County has created a public health and safety issue that affects all communities in this area. In 2013, the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh undertook a study which accepted the current laws covering gun ownership as a given, acknowledged the measurable and damaging impacts on the health and lives of our residents and the way guns contribute to mental health and suicide and economically impacts our community by diverting funds to security and protection expenses from other worthwhile needs and benefits and attempted to learn if it is possible to have a healthy civl life with guns.

Partnering with a Deliberative Democracy consultant in Pittsburgh, a series of community engagement sessions were conducted which helped to identify concerns and hopes for ways that we might be able to live with guns in a civil society.