CeaseFirePA President Phil Goldsmith, CeaseFirePA’s board of directors, and victims of gun violence were at Philadelphia City Hall yesterday to endorse Dan Onorato to be the next Governor of Pennsylvania.

“The difference is clear,” said CeaseFirePA President Phil Goldsmith. “We need a governor who can see beyond the politics of this issue – and do what is best for every Pennsylvanian, not just the extremists in the gun lobby. As Attorney General – Tom Corbett has the power to close the Florida Gun Loophole. He could have done it months ago, when we first alerted him. He refused to do so, and Pennsylvanians are paying the price.

“Dan Onorato, on the other hand, has demonstrated a willingness to listen and address these issues,” Goldsmith said. “He respects the Second Amendment, as do we, but recognizes that the U.S. Supreme Court sanctions reasonable rules when it comes to gun safeguards. There are obvious reforms available to us to fight gun violence – we need a leader willing to stand up to the special interests and implement them. After a thorough review of the candidates, Dan Onorato is the clear choice to be Pennsylvania’s next Governor.” (For a full transcript of Phil’s remarks, click HERE)

Phil and the CeaseFirePA board were joined by several victims and survivors of gun violence, including board member Mary Beth Hacke, whose infant son, Ryan, was shot and killed in a terrible incident by a criminal with a gun near Pittsburgh; Mark Chilutti, a Northeast Philadelphia businessman shot and paralyzed during a robbery; and Daren Dieter, a Philadelphia man shot and paralyzed by a criminal with a gun several years ago.

During his campaign, Dan Onorato has proven his commitment to seeking reforms to reduce gun violence, including support for lost or stolen handgun reporting, closing the Florida Gun Loophole, and full funding and expansion of the Gun Violence Task Force.  Onorato has also been a staunch opponent of the NRA’s “Shoot First,” castle doctrine expansion bill – a position supported by every leading police and law enforcement organization in the state.