By DAVID MONTGOMERY, New York Times, JULY 30, 2016

AUSTIN, Tex. — On Aug. 1, 1966, Charles Whitman ascended the University of Texas clock tower here with a trunk full of weapons and unleashed 96 minutes of terror that effectively became a template for mass shootings and aroused in the public a new sensitivity to the threat of violence in public spaces.

Mr. Whitman, a 25-year-old student, Eagle Scout and Marine veteran, killed a receptionist and two members of a visiting family inside the tower. He then went onto the observation deck and began spraying sniper fire, turning a tranquil summertime campus into a scene of chaos and death.

In the half-century since, Mr. Whitman’s savagery has been echoed in mass shootings on other university campuses and at workplaces, elementary schools, post offices, movie theaters and nightclubs. And what seemed unthinkable in 1966 was re-enacted with alarming repetition in places like Columbine High School in Colorado; Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.; Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.; and the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla….

read more at New York Times

Proud to stand with Gun Safety Advocates

July 13, 2016 / wcdem2 / Leave a comment

from Carolyn Comitta, 7/9/16

I am pleased and honored to be endorsed by the Chester County Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, an organization in our local community, working daily to change the laws enforcing common sense gun safety measures. Led by my friend Tom Buglio, CCCPGV has marched and protested against our local elected officials to call attention to the devastation caused by guns.

I pledge to be a champion for this issue!

I pledge to fight to make universal background checks a reality.

I pledge to bring people together, to build coalitions, to get things done!

Please register on my website to volunteer or make a donation to help spread my message this fall. Please stay in touch. This campaign is going strong, and we WILL win with all your help and support.

I’m ready to serve the 156th District in Harrisburg. With your support, I’ll get there.

Thanks for all you do.

Warmly,

Carolyn

PS I pledge to continue bringing people together to find solutions that will improve our community and help keep people safe.

West Chester residents rally for gun violence protection

June 7, 2016June 6, 2016 / wcdem2 / Leave a comment

by Candice Monhollan, Daily Local News, 6/3/16

WEST CHESTER People in orange were marching around the streets of West Chester Thursday morning as part of the national Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Even more so because, as of a proclamation unanimously approved by the borough council and read aloud by Mayor Carolyn Comitta, June 2 is Gun Violence Protection Day in West Chester.

“We need your voices — we need all the voices on gun violence protection,” said Comitta, a Democrat who is running for state representative against incumbent state Rep. Dan Truitt, R-156, of East Goshen. “It’s all about keeping our children, our families and our communities safe.”

Residents gathered at the steps of the old courthouse, decked in orange, and carried signs promoting background checks and to put a stop to senseless gun violence….

Read more at Daily Local News. Also see NBC10 for a video report on the West Chester rally, including Mayor Comitta.