Pennsylvania: Firearms Preemption Offered as an Amendment to HB 1243

Your immediate help is needed to ensure firearms preemption legislation is amended into HB 1243, without the inclusion of any anti-gun amendments!

Today, an attempt will be made to amend critical firearms preemption language into House Bill 1243 on the Pennsylvania House floor.  The amendment, filed by state Representative Mark Keller (R-86), would strengthen and provide consistency in Pennsylvania’s firearm and ammunition laws throughout the state.  To date, nearly fifty municipalities have enacted illegal local gun control ordinances including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Reading and the state capital of Harrisburg.  Enough is enough.

Anti-gun state lawmakers in Harrisburg are still attempting to kill or stall this crucial legislation by offering several anti-gun amendments to HB 1243, including an amendment by Representative Steven Santarsiero (D-31) which would mandate so-called “universal” background checks on ALL firearms purchases, including rifles and shotguns.  Currently, only handgun purchases fall under this state requirement.

“Universal” background checks don’t work, and will never be truly universal because criminals, by definition, violate the law and obtain firearms illegally.  Such an amendment would do nothing to address violent crime and would only impact law-abiding shooters and sportsmen.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “universal” background checks will not work without implementing a gun owner registration system.

Your help is needed to ensure that firearms preemption is amended into HB 1243, without the inclusion of any anti-gun amendments.  It is critical that you contact your state Representative IMMEDIATELY and urge him or her to support the Keller amendment to HB 1243 and reject any amendments mandating so-called “universal” background checks.  For contact information or help identifying your state lawmakers, click here.