Almost half of law enforcement officers murdered in Pennsylvania since 2008 were killed with a rifle or shotgun, according to the Center for American Progress.

Almost half of law enforcement officers murdered in Pennsylvania since 2008 were killed with a rifle or shotgun, according to the Center for American Progress.



Yet, background checks aren't required on long guns, as they are for handguns.



A long gun was used in the Ross Township shooting that took the lives of three people, including the husband of shooting survivor Linda Kozic, who was seriously injured in the melee.



Kozic will speak against gun violence along with a group of mayors, state officials and gun safety advocates at a press conference in Harrisburg today.



"We are not trying to eliminate guns," Kozic said. "It's in better education, better background checks, things that will not affect people's rights."



The event is being organized by CeaseFirePa, a statewide coalition of elected and law enforcement officials, community organizers and faith leaders to reduce gun violence.



The press conference begins in the state capitol rotunda at 1:30 p.m.



"We are trying to send a message that the legislature should be working on items to keep Pennsylvania safer," Shira Goodman, CeaseFirePa executive director, said. "One of those is expanding background checks in Pennsylvania to cover the private sale of long guns: rifles, shotguns and semi-automatic guns. There is a bill in the house that would eliminate that exception and make the background check necessary."



HB 1010 is pending in the state House and would expand the state's background check system to cover the private sale of long guns. The bill has been stuck in the judiciary committee, Goodman said.



Kozic will talk about experiencing gun violence, losing her husband and what it's like getting shot. She'll also discuss the shock of having it all happen at a township meeting where you'd least expect it.



There's a ripple effect that continues in her life and that of the community and anyone who was there that night, she said. She'd like to make sure guns don't get in the hands of those with mental health issues as well.



CeaseFirePa uses a number of programs to effect change in gun laws and community safety.



Under its "Courtwatch" program, partner groups and individuals bring in community members who testify in sentencing cases, usually involving illegal possession or trafficking in firearms. The purpose of the testimony is to show the impact of guns on the community. The program is in place in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.



CeaseFirePa believes working with advocates helped convince U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., to vote for the federal background check bill on all gun sales that failed to pass Congress last year.



The Pennsylvania House has introduced another bill, HB2011, that would allow any individual, gun owner or not, and any organization of gun owners, to sue any municipality that passes gun ordinances apart from the laws that exist on the state level.



Goodman said it was a way for gun control opponents to penalize municipalities that have taken steps, such as mandating reporting of lost or stolen guns, to protect their communities. Her group is fighting to defeat the bill.