Philadelphia’s District Attorney, Larry Krasner, leveled severe criticism at Republican lawmakers in a press conference following a mass shooting on Tuesday. He claimed their stance was detrimental to the safety of their constituents.
Late on Monday evening, a violent incident occurred in the Kingsessing neighborhood of southwest Philadelphia. A shooter claimed the lives of five individuals and wounded several others. Among the casualties were multiple children, including a toddler who was struck by bullets four times in their legs.
The alleged perpetrator, a man in his 40s, was said to have been clad in a bulletproof vest and in possession of a rifle akin to an AR model, as well as several magazines. Law enforcement officers captured the man who now faces multiple charges including murder, assault with severity, and felony weapons offenses.
The unfortunate victims who lost their lives are identified as Daujan Brown, 15, Joseph Wamah, Jr., 31, Lashyd Merritt, 20, Dymir Stanton, 29, and Ralph Moralis, 59.
In the press conference on Tuesday, Krasner expressed his disappointment with Pennsylvania’s firearm legislation.
“In closing, I want to express my utter disappointment in the woefully inadequate gun laws in our state, Pennsylvania,” Krasner expressed.
“It is appalling that one can visit New Jersey and find a comprehensive list of sensible gun control measures that we lack, or go to Delaware where there’s an equally extensive list of reasonable firearm legislation that we lack,” he further added.
The District Attorney proceeded to criticize Republicans who have been sporting AR-15 badge pins on their lapels recently. Public figures such as Rep. George Santos (R-NY) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) have adorned such pins to show their endorsement for the Second Amendment.
“It is high time all our legislators, especially those who fancy displaying an AR-15 badge pin on their lapels,” Krasner stated, “It’s time for every single one of them to be held accountable by their electorate.”
“And if they fail to take appropriate action, then the electorate must ensure they are not reelected. Because that’s what the badge pin symbolizes. It symbolizes ‘Vote against me. I stand against you and your safety.'”
Krasner faced impeachment last year by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives following a 107-85 vote. His Republican opponents asserted that his progressive strategies had contributed to worsening the crime situation in Philadelphia.
“His failure to provide competent leadership directly contributes to the ongoing crisis that Philadelphia is currently grappling with,” as stated in House Resolution No. 240.
