DN Editorial: A crisis of crises

PENNSYLVANIA is a state dealing with multiple crises. It faces a crisis in education, to be sure. And a new report by the Keystone Research Center suggests a serious jobs crisis: The state has slipped to last place among 50 states in job growth. According to data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania lost 9,600 jobs in September alone.

Between 2011 and 2014, the state experienced a paltry 2 percent growth in jobs. Compare that with the 22 percent growth in North Dakota, or the 11 percent growth in Texas.

Texas gained more than a million jobs in that time period. Pennsylvania gained 112,000.

Another Pennsylvania crisis rarely discussed might be a linchpin to the rest of our troubles. A new bill that is likely to be signed by Gov. Corbett best illustrates what we can only call an identity crisis.

The bill, just passed by the House, would allow the National Rifle Association and other groups to sue municipalities that tried to enact gun laws that are stricter than state firearms laws. The bill allows membership organizations to not only sue but collect legal fees and other costs if they win. In the past, groups like the NRA didn't have legal standing for such suits.

This is a big blow to cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and others that battle uphill over high levels of gun crime and violence, and are made to feel that they are out of step in a primarily rural state with more hunters per square mile than practically anywhere. Where else do schools, the Legislature and businesses close on the first day of hunting season?

But the facts suggest someplace completely different. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the great majority - seven-eighths of the population, or more than 9 million residents - live in urban areas.

So, Pennsylvania's "ruralness" seems to be a myth, but remains entrenched as the basis for gun laws.

It goes without saying that urban areas are those that pay the largest price for guns - including floods of illegal, untraceable guns.

So, why doesn't the strength of our urban cores seemingly provide no match against the NRA - or lawmakers' indifference?

And why aren't those officials who are elected to represent citizens more reflective of the actual makeup of this state? Pennsylvania may think of itself as a rural state, but the reality is it is heavily urbanized.

Imagine if an organization financed and supported by the tobacco industry had been allowed to sue cities or municipalities that were imposing smoking bans. Or groups shilling for cellphone companies were able to sue cities that banned dangerous habits, like texting or phoning while driving?

The irony is, gun laws typically enacted by cities like Philadelphia have nothing to do with banning guns outright. They usually target specific problems, like straw purchases of guns, by requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen guns, or limiting guns in parks, or other reasonable controls.

The fact that the General Assembly, and presumably the governor, ally themselves with the gun lobby means that they are also allying themselves with an outdated view of just what this state represents. According to them, no one needs a job or an education because they are too busy out in the woods hunting.

The leaders of the cities of Pennsylvania should consider flexing their considerable muscle more aggressively in making their case for controlling the violence that plagues us all.