The Pennsylvania state legislature is considering creating lengthy mandatory prison sentences for people who possess guns and have a prior criminal record. Two bills – HB 1587 and HB 1590 – would bring back mandatory minimum gun sentences for the first time since the state's Supreme Court found them unconstitutional in 2015.

But mandatory minimum sentences don't work to reduce or prevent gun crime. Instead, they will cost taxpayers millions, create unjust and arbitrary sentences, and waste public safety resources that could be used to make Pennsylvania communities stronger and safer. Violent crime is a concern in Pennsylvania – and because of that, we can't afford to have the legislature adopt policies that won't work.

Ask your state lawmakers today to oppose HB 1587 and HB 1590.