Attempted Arm Robbery of State Reps Sparks Gun Control Debate

The circumstances surrounding the armed robbery of two state representatives sparks new debate on Pennsylvania's gun policies.

On Tuesday night, Jamani Ellison, 17, allegedly held a gun to Representative Ryan Bizzarro's (D-3rd district) head in a robbery attempt. That's when Representative Marty Flynn (D-Scranton) pulled out his concealed gun, and shots ensued.

No one was injured in the incident, but how people view the role those guns played varies strongly.

While some groups say Tuesday's armed robbery incident exemplifies the importance of second amendment rights, others believe tighter gun control policies, might have prevented the robbery altogether.

"He was very lucky that the other representative was carrying a concealed firearm on his person," said Justin Dillon, an Erie gun rights activist. "Hopefully these representatives now understand what we've been trying to pursue for so long. Those are situations we don't ever want to have happen to us, but we want to be prepared if something like that happened. That is proof that it was a deterrent," he said.

Dillion and other gun rights supporters believe tighter gun control policies would not have prevented the crime.

"Gun violence is not a problem, criminal violence is. It just so happens to be that these people are using guns in employment of their crimes," said Bob McDowell, owner of Bob's Gun Shop & Shooting Range in Mckean.

Of course there's another side to the debate. Some believe if stronger laws on who can own a firearm existed, then the armed robbery incident might've been prevented.

"I can always hope it would prevent it. Teenagers can buy a gun on a parking lot, but if the guns weren't on the parking lot - if it was more difficult for people to buy guns - that would be a step in the right direction," said Sister Marlene Bertke, coordinator of Benedictines for Peace.

Sister Marlene says even responsible gun owners can make mistakes. And sometimes,pulling out a firearm, even in defense, can escalate the violence.

"I think it's mighty lucky that when Flynn pulled out a gun, the young man who had a gun to Bizzarro's head didn't shoot. That was my first thought, that it was so risky," she said.

Bizzarro says the incident does not change his stance on gun control, and maintains his support for gun owners.

"I think the gun issue is irrelevant because everybody has the right to bear arms. I am in full support of responsible gun ownership and everybody's second amendment right. I think that goes without saying, and I think I have a record that proves that," Bizzarro said.

Still, some gun rights activists say Bizzarro's show of support is not enough.

"He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. He tries to present himself as a person that supports gun owners, but he's only supported one pro-gun bill out of the 21 of them that have been presented to him," Dillion said.

The gun control debate is clearly an important issue to many, and also serves as a clear reminder that elections are just three weeks away.

Back to Home