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Rep. Gainey fighting for change after loss of youngest sister to gun violence

PITTSBURGH — State Rep. Ed Gainey is fighting for a change in __ in the wake of his sister's murder.

A gunman shot and killed Janese Jackson outside of a bar in Homewood. Gainey compared it to losing a piece of his heart. %

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"There is a level of pain you can't imagine," Gainey said.

Jackson, a mother of three young children, was with Gainey as their family gathered to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game. Thirteen days later, she was gunned down.

"You don't want to see no one go through this," Gainey said.

The alleged shooter, 41-year-old Charles McKinney, shot and killed Jackson after she turned down his advances, according to police. He was arrested with heroin and a gun in his pocket.

"I try not to focus on what could have, should have," Gainey said. "I try to focus on what we need to do to improve the quality of life for all humanity."

Now, Gainey is helping his lost sister in a number of ways -- By trying to help those addicted by chairing a bipartisan drug caucus called HOPE (Heroin Opiates Prevention and Education).

Gainey is also working to curtail gun violence.

"Our community is flooded with guns. They are getting into our community," Gainey said.

According to Pittsburgh Police, the number of shootings in Pittsburgh jumped 28 percent from 2014 to 2015.

"They are getting into our young kids' hands," Gainey said. "We have an obligation to to make sure they don't get into their hands."

The National Rifle Association called the bill a rehashing of old, failed legislation and said it's time for legislators to realize voters don't support these efforts.

For Gainey, it's crucial to take assault weapons off the streets to help prevent another family for losing a loved one.

After speaking with his colleagues, Gainey's next step is to go before a judiciary committee.