An agent of the state Attorney General's office told an assembly at Sci-Tech High School in Harrisburg that there would be no laughter during her hour-long emotional presentation on gun violence.
In her remarks, Attorney General Kathleen Kane told the students they can end the violence.
Illegal gun possession usually ends in tragedy. A Philadelphia police officer was murdered by a gun stolen in Perry County. It was then sold illegally on a street in Harrisburg.
Sean Hernandez, 21, Hall Manor, shot March 16,” explained Special Agent Craig LeCadre of the Office of the Attorney General. “Another person shot last year on March 28. One daughter left behind.
The agent read the names of 17 victims killed by gunfire in Harrisburg. The year was 2007.
Not that long ago that the high school audience couldn't relate. Special Agent Craig LeCadre has been in law enforcement for 25 years.
13 years of those on the streets of Harrisburg. He told the students that snitching isn't a bad thing. It's good and could save a life:
“Last time I checked, this is your town. This is your city,” cited LeCadre. “Take ownership over that. We have to stand united and let these punks know that we're not going to take that anymore. A simple phone call is all it takes."
Attorney General Kathleen Kane left her office across the street in Strawberry Square. She warned the students not to purchase a gun for someone else. The one asking is probably prohibited by law from buying a firearm.
"In that split second when somebody asks you to purchase a gun and then give it to them because they can't legally purchase a gun, you have just made yourself a straw purchaser, and we do not want you to do that,” Kane explained. “We want you to recognize what it is, and you have the capacity to say no."
Special Agent LeCadre polled his audience. Nearly all of the 60 students were aware of their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Seven said a firearm is present where they live. Most said they knew someone who had been a victim of a person with a gun.
The Attorney General is stopping at schools and institutions across the state. Her goal is to combat gun violence head-on through outreach, education and law enforcement.
