We've Waited too Long. Addressing Gun Violence Must be a Priority

Even as our country fights through a worldwide pandemic – and the health and economic concerns associated with it – gun violence remains an ever-present danger in Pennsylvania. This is particularly true of under-served areas, from Philadelphia to Erie.

Bipartisan bills designed to reduce gun violence and keep communities safer – none of which come anywhere close to wholesale rejection of the 2nd Amendment,  continue to languish in committee, not even deemed important enough to discuss, let alone receive votes.

Help your PA neighbors make noise this fall by sending legislative leaders in Harrisburg a message that you still expect action on legislation to fight yet another deadly public health emergency.

2021-2022 Gun Safety Bills

House Bills

HB 1831 referred to House Judiciary: Sept. 2, 2021  -  Representative MaryLouise Isaacson  -  Requires that all purchases of firearms be face - to - face transaction between the seller and the purchaser and must occur in the place of business of a licensed seller or county sheriff’s office.

HB 1832 referred to House Judiciary: Sept. 2, 2021 - Representative MaryLouise Isaacson - Requires that individuals deliver application/record of sale for a background check in - person to a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) station, with exceptions for individuals with a disability. It also requires that all incomplete or inaccurate applications must be rejected, and the applicant must wait 14 days before resubmitting.

HB 1833 referred to House Judiciary: Sept. 2, 2021 - Representative MaryLouise Isaacson - Requires that all concealed carry permit applications be submitted in - person, with exceptions for individuals with a disability. It would also require that all incomplete or inaccurate applications must be rejected, and the applicant must wait 14 days before resubmitting.

HB 1834 referred to House Judiciary: Sept. 2, 2021 - Representative MaryLouise Isaacson - Permits observers to witness the processing of background checks in the PSP’s Instant Check Unit as well as to witness the processing of concealed carry permit applications in the county sheriff’s office.

HB 1810 referred to House Judiciary: Aug. 31, 2021 - Representative Angel Cruz - Requires all firearms be registered with PSP and that any lost or stolen firearm be reported within 48 hours of the discovery.

HB 1786 referred to House Judiciary: August 12, 2021 - Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Manuel Guzman, Jr. - Requires ammunition manufacturers to encode ammunition provided for retail sale and provide ammunition serial numbers to PSP. PSP would keep a database on all encoded ammunition sold in PA. Funded with a tax of five cents per round of ammunition on all non - law enforcement ammunition sales. Individuals would be able to file for a tax return for a credit of 0.5% of the gross amount of the tax paid.

HB 1751 referred to House Judiciary: July 30, 2021 - Representatives Brian Kirkland, Benjamin V. Sanchez, Mike Zabel, Stephen Kinsey, Maureen E. Madden, Jeanne McNeill, Napoleon J. Nelson, Joe Webster, Regina G. Young, Perry S. Warren, Brian Sims, Emily Kinkead, Dan Frankel  - Requires all individuals to provide an official form of photographic identification with every purchase of firearm ammunition in PA.

HB 1718 referred to House Judiciary: July 8, 2021 - Representative Anthony M. DeLuca - Increases penalties for unlicensed concealed carry of a firearm.

HB 1587 referred to House Judiciary: June 10, 2021; Reported as committed & 1st considered: June 15, 2021 - Representative Amen Brown - Subjects convicted felons who are found to be in possession of an illegal firearm to progressively stronger sentences and a minimum term of incarceration. In effect for 4 years before sunsetting.

HB 1846 referred to House Judiciary: Sept. 9, 2021 - Representatives Christina D. Sappey and Stephen Kinsey - Requires firearm purchasers to receive training in areas of safe storage, suicide awareness, child access awareness, domestic violence awareness, road rage awareness/prevention and safe interaction with law enforcement while carrying a firearm. Pennsylvania State Police would be responsible for administering and issuing firearm safety certificates upon successful completion.

HR 101 referred to House Judiciary: May 17, 2021 - Representative Darisha K. Parker - Directs LBFC to study the relationship between the role of social media platforms and the current upward trend in gun violence affecting the Commonwealth.

HB 1306 referred to House Judiciary: April 30, 2021 - Representative Benjamin V. Sanchez and Rep. Mike Zabel - Establishes a 72 - hour waiting period for all firearm transfers.

HB 1315 referred to House Judiciary: April 30, 2021 - Representative Michael J. Driscoll - Establishes system through which individuals with D.I.Y. firearms must obtain a serial number or other identifying mark from a licensed firearms dealer and affix it to the firearm. Also prohibits the possession, use, control, sale, delivery, transfer, manufacture, marketing, and advertisement of D.I.Y. semiautomatic weapons.

HB 1211 referred to House Judiciary: April 16, 2021 - Representative Nancy Guenst - Permits law enforcement officers, family and household members, and certain health professionals to petition the court for a firearm restraining order to prevent a dangerous individual from possessing or purchasing a firearm, ammunition, or another type of weapon.

HB 1090 referred to House Judiciary: April 5, 2021 - Representative Melissa L. Shusterman - Prohibits weapons in court waiting areas.

HB 1077 referred to House Judiciary: April 1, 2021 - Representative Darisha K. Parker - Permits individuals who believe that they are a threat to themselves or others to request to be placed on a voluntary firearm purchase self - exclusion list for one year, three years, or five years.

HB 1019 referred to House Judiciary: March 26, 2021 - Representative Anthony M. DeLuca - Requires that mandatory sentence be imposed consecutively to any other sentence imposed by the court when offense committed with firearm.

HB 1966 referred to House Judiciary on Oct. 12 2021 - Representative Mike Zabel - Prohibits purchase, sale, and production of untraceable gun parts.

HB 980 referred to House Judiciary: March 19, 2021 - Representative Benjamin V. Sanchez &  Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta - Requires reporting of lost or stolen weapon to law enforcement within 72 hours of the discovery.

HB 981 referred to House Judiciary: March 19, 2021 - Representative Benjamin V. Sanchez - Adds “multiburst trigger activators” to Title 18 list of offensive weapons and includes items such as binary triggers and slide fire/bump stocks.

HB 917 referred to House Judiciary: March 15, 2021 - Representative Mike Zabel - Bans disguised firearms in Pennsylvania.

HB 869 referred to House Judiciary: March 11, 2021 - Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Carol Hill - Evans - Makes it unlawful for a person participating in or attending a public demonstration to possess a firearm or other dangerous article.

HB 872 referred to House Judiciary: March 11, 2021 - Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Darisha K. Parker - Requires any individual who would like to purchase a firearm to first receive and be tested on safety training from an instructor who has been certified by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Certificate would last 5 years. In fail, must take test 24 hours after receiving additional training. LE exempt.

HB 785 referred to House Judiciary: March 8, 2021 - Representative Tim Briggs - Requires safe storage of firearms in homes where children may be present. Failure to comply results in felony of the third degree if firearm is used in a crime, or if death or grievous injury is caused, or a summary offense (misdemeanor of the third degree if second or subsequent offense) if a child is found in unlawful possession of a firearm.

HB 1900 referred to Judiciary: Sept. 22, 2021 - Representative Perry S. Warren - Prohibits individuals on the federal terrorist watch list from purchasing or possessing a firearm in Pennsylvania. Individuals who believe that they were wrongfully denied a firearm may appeal the denial.

HB 770 referred to House Judiciary: March 4, 2021 - Representative Ed Gainey - Bans possession, purchase, transfer, use or manufacture of an assault weapon. Exceptions made for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserve, National Guard or law enforcement while performing and traveling to and from official duties. Does not impact a person in lawful ownership of these weapons prior to the date of enactment.

HB 737 referred to House Judiciary: March 3, 2021 - Representative Mary Jo Daley - Makes it a misdemeanor of the third degree for knowingly possessing a firearm in a polling place, and a misdemeanor of the first degree for using the firearm at a polling place in a commission of a crime. Notice of the firearm prohibition would be required to be placed at each public entrance.

HB 696 referred to House Judiciary: March 1, 2021 - Representative Donna Bullock and Rep. Morgan Cephas, Rep. Amen Brown - Creates the Violence Intervention Program (VIP), a competitive grant program, awarded from a fund of $30 million for three years, administered by PCCD for municipalities that have been disproportionately impacted by violence. VIP grants would be used to support, expand, and replicate proven and effective community - based violence reduction initiatives.

HB 702 referred to House Judiciary: March 1, 2021 - Representative Darisha K. Parker - Requires all firearm sales, including long guns, be conducted in front of a licensed dealer or a sheriff. Familial transfers would still be excluded from the background check requirement. Adds provision to allow for single background check that would remain valid for 48 hours for use at gun shows in PA.

HB 717 referred to House Judiciary: March 1, 2021 - Representative Peter Schweyer - Prohibits the sale or possession of assault weapons for individuals under the age of 21.

HB 690 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 26, 2021 - Representative Isabella V. Fitzgerald - Requires drivers licenses and photo identification cards to specify whether an individual possesses a concealed carry permit.

HB 698 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 26, 2021 - Representative Isabella V. Fitzgerald - Establishes 72 - hour waiting period for purchases of semi - automatic assault rifles.

HB 699 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 26, 2021  - Representative Isabella V. Fitzgerald - Requires all firearms be safely stored whenever they are not in use.

Co - Sponsor Memo Circulated Feb. 26, 2021 - Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. - Raises PICS records check fee from $5 to $16.

HB 528 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 16, 2021 - Representative Donna Bullock - Makes it a crime to possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon in all parks, recreation centers, or pools owned or operated by a political subdivision.

HB 451 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 8, 2021 - Representative Anthony M. DeLuca - Requires firearms license applicants to complete a minimum of six hours of a basic firearm training program with a certified firearms instructor approved by the National Rifle Association.

HR 44 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 8, 2021 - Representative Brian Sims - Recognizes gun violence a public health crisis.

HB 413 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 4, 2021 - Representative Mike Zabel - Places limit on purchases of handguns in Pennsylvania, allowing one handgun per individual within any 30 - day period  -  with exceptions for licensed firearm dealers, licensed firearm collectors, law enforcement and correction facilities, licensed private security companies, antique firearms and stolen firearms, as well as a pathway for civilians to earn advance permission to purchase more than one gun during a 30 - day period.

HB 414 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 4, 2021 - Representative Mike Zabel - Bans the manufacturing, sale and possession of undetectable firearms, including 3D - printed firearms.

HB 361 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 3, 2021 - Representative MaryLouise Isaacson - Allows political subdivisions to regulate the possession and transportation of firearms when carried or transported on public grounds, including but not limited to: buildings, parks, and conveyances or vehicles.

HB 364 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 3, 2021 - Representative MaryLouise Isaacson - Mandates that law enforcement agencies of the Commonwealth make reasonable efforts to identify and return all firearms to their rightful and lawful owners. If an owner cannot be identified within 120 days, the firearm would be required to be destroyed.

HB 393 referred to House Judiciary: Feb. 3, 2021 - Representative Brian Sims - Limits ammunition sales to licensed firearms dealers. Allows businesses to use existing licenses to sell both firearms and ammunition. When purchasing ammunition, licensee contacts PICS and PSP conducts background investigation. Establishes PSP ammunition purchase authorization, which allows an individual to purchase ammunition for four years without the need to get a background check for every ammunition purchase.

HB 338 referred to House Judiciary: Jan. 29, 2021 - Representative Joseph C. Hohenstein - Establishes harsher penalties for straw purchasing.

HB 271 referred to House Judiciary:  Jan. 26, 2021 - Representative Melissa L. Shusterman - Ensures 3D - printed firearm is treated as standard firearm under law and is subject to all standing regulation.  In addition, prohibits printing of firearm without a license from the federal government to manufacture firearms

HB 234 referred to House Judiciary: Jan. 25, 2021 - Representative Michael J. Driscoll - Includes carrying a concealed firearm without a concealed - carry permit in the list of offenses that would prevent an individual from owning a firearm.

HB 235 referred to House Judiciary:  Jan. 25, 2021 - Representative Perry S. Warren - Eliminates “gun show loophole” to ensure  all firearm sales must be subject to a background check. Would not require a background check for firearms transfers between direct family members.

HB 237 referred to House Judiciary: Jan. 25, 2021 - Representative Perry S. Warren - Requires firearm owners to safely store all of their firearms when residing with a person who cannot legally possess a firearm.

HB 1537 referred to House Judiciary: June 3, 2021 - Representative Dan Frankel - Removes preemption on counties to enact ordinance or actions to regulate firearm transfer, ownership, transportation or posession.

HB 1538 referred to House Judiciary: June 3, 2021 - Representative Dan Frankel - Removes preemption on counties, municipalities, or townships to enact ordinance or actions to regulate firearm/ammunition/ammunition components tranfer, ownership, transportation or posession;

Co - Sponsor Memo Circulated Jan. 8, 2021 - Representative Christina D. Sappey - Maintains the authority of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to institute one - day of Sunday hunting during rifle deer season while stipulating that this cannot be on a Sunday directly following a federal holiday.

Co - Sponsor Memo Circulated Dec. 10, 2020 - Representative Melissa L. Shusterman - Prohibits the sale of a semi - automatic assault rifles capable of holding more than five rounds of ammunition to juveniles under 21.

Co - Sponsor Memo Circulated Dec. 8, 2020 - Representative Melissa L. Shusterman - Creates a Semi - Automatic Assault Rifle Safety Certification Course and requires successful completion before a person could purchase a semi - automatic assault rifle.

Co - Sponsor Memo Circulated Dec. 7, 2020 - Representative Kristine C. Howard - Prohibits concealed carry while intoxicated.

Co - Sponsor Memo circulated Jan. 25, 2021 - Representative Scott Conklin - Permits electronic monitoring of abusers in cases of domestic violence where a protection order has been issued.

HB 1677 referred to House Commerce: June 23, 2021 - Representative Austin Davis - Establishes the Greiving Parent Temporary Payment Deferral program within the Department of Community and Economic Development to assist individuals who have lost a child to gun violence. Defers debtor payments (prohibits charging late fees/penalties) at the debtors discretion for up to 365 days. Program services will also include mental health and financial counseling, as well as assistance with procedural steps pertinent to the program (i.e. filing relevant documents).

HB 2009 referred to House Judiciary: Oct 25, 2021 - Representative Joeseph Hohenstein, Representative Stephen Kinsey, Leader Joanna McClinton - Establishes the Center for Gun Violence Research to to identify, implement, and evaluate innovative gun violence prevention policies and programs. Would also create a selection committee for proposals from universities and public institutions  to host the research center.

Co - Sponsor Memo circulated Dec. 8, 2021 - Representative Mike Zabel - Would require individuals to hold a license to openly carry a firearm in Pennsylvania.

Co - Sponsor Memo circulated Sep. 27, 2021 - Representative Anthony M. DeLuca - Would require individuals whose hunting license has been suspended by the Game Commission to attend a remedial hunter education and safety course before the license is restored.

Co - Sposorship Memo circulated Jan. 26, 2022 - Representative Jason Dawkins - Incresases the cost of bail for possession or crime committed with an illegal firearm.

Co - Sposorship Memo circulated Feb. 11, 2022 - Chairman Dan Frankel - Requires gun owners to obtain firearm liability insurance to obtain a license to carry.

HB 2435 referred to House Judiciary: March 22, 2022 - Rep. Darisha Parker - Expands the requirement for locking mechanism for all firearm sales to include long guns.

HB 2562 referred to House Judiciary: April 28, 2022 - Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald - Establishes the Safe Communities Grant Program

Co - Sponsorship Memo circulated: April 26, 2022 - Rep. Kevin Boyle - Bans high capacity magazines

Co - Sposorship Memo ciculated: May 5, 2022 - Rep. Chris Rabb - Incentivize police reporting of seized firearms and conduct firearm dealer inspections

 

Senate Bills

SB 855 referred to Senate Judiciary Committee: Sept. 9, 2021 - Senator Katie J. Muth and Sen. Carolyn T. Comitta, Sen. Judith L. Schwank - Requires that first time firearm owners receive training in areas of safe handling and storage of firearms, suicide awareness, child access awareness, domestic violence awareness, road rage awareness and prevention and safe interaction with law enforcement while carrying a firearm.

SB 816 referred to Senate Judiciary: Aug. 4, 2021 - Senator John I. Kane - Establishes Do - Not - Sell Firearm Registry to which individuals may voluntarily be added and removed. Requires education programs on the law for health care professionals. Requires health care professionals to provide information on registry to people hospitalized for self - harm.  Commonwealth will also develop and implement advertising campaign about law.

SB 761 referred to Senate Judiciary: June 24, 2021 - Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti - Establishes a 72 - hour waiting period for all firearm transfers in the Commonwealth.

SB 748 referred to Senate Finance: June 7, 2021 - Senator Jay Costa - Requires divestiture and prohibits future investments by the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS’s), the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS’s), the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System (PMRS), and the State Treasurer in any company that manufactures assault weapons, large capacity ammunition feeding devices, or assault weapon accessories (such as bump stocks).

SB 728 referred to Senate Judiciary: June 1, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes - Expands firearm possession prohibition to include those convicted of attempting to commit, conspiring to commit or soliciting another to commit a crime.

SB 632 referred to Senate Judiciary: May 13, 2021 - Senator Lisa M. Boscola - Requires firearms to be checked in and safely stored at municipal buildings in the Commonwealth.

SB 670 referred to Senate Judiciary: May 11, 2021 - Sens. Art Haywood, Anthony H. Williams, Christine M. Tartaglione, Sharif Street - Creates the Violence Intervention Program (VIP), a competitive grant program, awarded from a fund of $30 million for three years, administered by PCCD for municipalities that have been disproportionately impacted by violence. VIP grants would be used to support, expand, and replicate proven and effective community - based violence reduction initiatives.

SB 598 referred to Senate Local Government: April 21, 2021 - Senator Maria Collett and Sen. Carolyn T. Comitta - Allows political subdivisions, by ordinance, the ability to restrict the presence and use of firearms at properties and facilities they own or operate.

SB 581 referred to Senate Judiciary: April 20, 2021 - Senator Steven J. Santarsiero and Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti - Requires gun owners to safely store firearms when not under direct control of the owner.

SB 582 referred to Senate Judiciary: April 20, 2021 - Senator Steven J. Santarsiero and Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti - Requires gun owners to safely store firearms if a person who cannot legally possess a firearm lives in the owner’s residence.

SB 489 referred to Senate Judiciary:  April 8, 2021 - Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. and Sen. Vincent J. Hughes - Amends Uniform Firearms Act to create offense of criminal attempt to purchase a firearm and to increase penalties for false statements on any application to purchase or carry a firearm.

SB 490 referred to Senate Judiciary: April 8, 2021 - Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. - Adds persons who are found to be in suspicion of or a party to terrorist organizations on databases maintained by the Federal Government to be prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

SB 497 referred to Senate Judiciary: April 8, 2021 - Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. - Increases the grading for illegally carrying a firearm in Philadelphia under Title 18, Section 6108.

SB 429 referred to Senate Judiciary: March 15, 2021 - Senator Anthony H. Williams - Requires registration of firearms.

SB 413 referred to Senate Judiciary: March 12, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes and Sen. Wayne D. Fontana - Amends Title 18 to ensure 3D - printed firearms are subject to the Uniform Firearm Act and would ensure a 3D - printed firearm is considered a firearm for purposes of Title 18. Prohibits anyone from printing a firearm without a license from the Federal Government to manufacture firearms.

SB 414 referred to Senate Judiciary: March 12, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes and Sen. Wayne D. Fontana - Amends Title 18 to ensure that an 80% receiver is considered a “firearm” for purposes of the Uniform Firearm Act

SB 238 referred to Senate State Government: Feb. 16, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes - Creates a Pennsylvania Center for Gun Violence Research.

SB 239 referred to Senate Judiciary: Feb. 16, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes - Prohibits firearms or other dangerous weapons in public recreation areas.

SB 217 referred to Senate Judiciary: Feb. 11, 2021 - Senator Christine M. Tartaglione - Requires lost or stolen firearms be reported to local law enforcement authorities within 24 hours.

SB 219 referred to Senate Judiciary: Feb. 11, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes - Imposes strict civil and criminal liability on any person, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer who knowingly and intentionally sells, delivers or transfers a firearm in violation of the UFA if that gun is subsequently used in a crime or attempted crime.

SB 220 referred to Senate Judiciary: Feb. 11, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes - Expands list of criminal convictions that disqualify a person from possessing, using, manufacturing, controlling, selling or transferring a firearm.

SB 226 referred to Senate Judiciary: Feb. 11, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes - Requires an individual to complete a firearms safety or training course as a condition of being issued a Concealed Carry Permit.

SB 134 referred to Senate Judiciary: Jan. 27, 2021 - Senator Wayne D. Fontana - Establishes a system in our Commonwealth for the implementation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO).

SB 88 referred to Senate Judiciary: Jan. 22, 2021 - Senator Vincent J. Hughes and Sen. Steven J. Santarsiero - Eliminates most of exceptions to requirement of a background check prior to the purchase or transfer of a firearm. The close familial transfer exception to the background check requirements would remain.

Co - sponsor Memo Circulated Jan. 2, 2021 - Senator James R. Brewster - Stiffens penalties for those possession both large quantities of drugs and illegal weapons.

SB 546 referred to Senate Judiciary Apr. 9, 2021 - Senator Steven J. Santarsiero - Re - establishes PA's “Duty to Retreat” law, which states that a person facing a dangerous threat must retreat or try to resolve the situation by non - violent means if it’s safe to do so, with the use of force only legally available as a last resort.

Co - sponsor Memo Circulated Dec. 4, 2020 - Senator Steven J. Santarsiero - Prohibits teachers, administrators, and other school district employees from carrying a firearm in school.

Co - sponsor Memo Circulated Dec. 1, 2020 - Senator Wayne D. Fontana - Bans assault weapons by broadening the scoop of what the state classifies as assault weapons.  Also bans the sale of gun magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds.

Co - Sposorship Memo circulated May 20, 2020 - Sen. John Kane - Requires ID verification for ammo purchases