Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Pennsylvania: House Committee Held “Gun Laws and Violence” Hearing

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Pennsylvania: House Committee Held “Gun Laws and Violence” Hearing

Last week, the Pennsylvania state House Judiciary Committee held hearings on “Gun Laws and Violence” where numerous bills seeking to infringe upon your Second Amendment rights were discussed.  Please contact House Judiciary Committee members as well as your state Legislators and urge them to OPPOSE any new gun control.  Click the “Take Action” button below to contact committee members and your state Legislators.

Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Senator Wayne Fontana (D-42), would ban most modern semi-automatic rifles, almost all semi-automatic handguns, and ammunition magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition.  Current owners of the firearms would be required to obtain a “certificate of possession” every four years to retain them, which could be denied arbitrarily based on “character and reputation.”

Senate Bill 18, sponsored by Senator Fontana, would allow for Second Amendment rights to be revoked without due process of law in ex parte hearings where the respondent is not present to challenge the accuser and defend against allegations made against them.  It would also provide immunity to the applicant, even if they make purposeful omissions or misstatements in the petition for restraining orders.

House Bill 832, sponsored by Representative Madeleine Dean (D-153), would criminalize the failure to report a firearm stolen within 72 hours.  Individuals should not be further victimized after experiencing a burglary or other loss.

House Bill 1233, sponsored by Representative Thomas Murt (R-152), would designate more individuals as “qualified professionals” in order to allow them to have others committed for mental health reasons under Section 302 without any due process.

House Bill 1400, sponsored by Representative James Santora (R-163), and House Bill 2249, sponsored by Representative Thomas Murt (R-152), would criminalize the private transfer of firearms.

House Bill 1872, sponsored by Representative Madeleine Dean (D-153), includes poorly written, vague language that could criminalize modifications commonly made to firearms by law-abiding citizens in order to make their firearms more user friendly and suitable for self-defense, competition, hunting, and even adapting to physical disability.  Many of these modifications simply make it easier to deliver accurate and controlled shots with less physical discomfort for the shooter without fundamentally changing the mechanics of how a firearm operates.

House Bill 2097, sponsored by Representative Jason Dawkins (D-179), would violate the right to due process by removing Second Amendment rights from those arrested for or charged with domestic violence offenses but not convicted.

House Bill 2109, sponsored by Representative Stephen McCarter (D-154), seeks to create “firearm restraining orders” which would allow Second Amendment rights to be stripped in ex parte hearings where the respondent is not present to challenge the accuser and defend against allegations made against them.

House Bill 2216, sponsored by Representative Warren Kampf (R-157), also includes poorly written, vague language that could criminalize modifications commonly made to firearms by law-abiding citizens in order to make their firearms more user friendly and suitable for self-defense, competition, hunting, and even adapting to physical disability.  In addition, it would also ban ammunition magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition.

House Bill 2251, sponsored by Representative Thomas Murt (R-152), would require a background check for the purchase of ammunition, prohibit mail ordering ammunition, and prohibit the interstate purchase of ammunition without it going through a licensed firearm dealer with a background check.

House Bill 2252, sponsored by Representative Thomas Murt (R-152), is redundant legislation that would codify existing federal law into Pennsylvania law.

Again, please contact House Judiciary Committee members and your state Legislators and urge them to OPPOSE any new gun control.

Chair: Rep. Ron Marsico (R-105) 717-783-2014
Democratic Chair: Rep. Joseph Petrarca (D-55) (717) 787-5142
Secretary: Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-116) (717) 260-6136
Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-199)  (717) 772-2280
Rep. Becky Corbin (R-155) (717) 783-2520
Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-88) (717) 783-5282
Rep. Harold English (R-30) (717) 260-6407 
Rep. Garth Everett (R-84) (717) 787-5270 
Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-5) (717) 772-9940 
Rep. Kate Klunk (R-169) (717) 787-4790 
Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-124) (717) 787-9029 
Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-8) (717) 783-6438 
Rep. Rick Saccone (R-39) (717) 260-6122 
Rep. Paul Schemel (R-90) (717) 783-5218 
Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151) (717) 260-6163 
Rep. Jesse Topper (R-78) (717) 787-7076 
Rep. Martina White (R-170) (717) 787-6740 
Rep. Bryan Barbin (D-71) (717) 783-1491
Rep. Ryan Bizzaro (D-3) (717) 772-2297 
Rep. Tim Briggs (D-149) (717) 705-7011
Rep. Dom Costa (D-21) (717) 783-9114
Rep. Tina Davis (D-141) (717) 783-4903
Rep. Jason Dawkins (D-179) (717) 787-1354 
Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-153) (717) 783-7619
Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-191) (717) 772-9850 
Rep. Dan Miller (D-42) (717) 783-1850 
Rep. Gerald Mullery (D-119) (717) 783-4893

IN THIS ARTICLE
Pennsylvania gun control
TRENDING NOW
Ammunition Serialization: The Five-Cent Fiasco in Illinois

News  

Monday, March 30, 2026

Ammunition Serialization: The Five-Cent Fiasco in Illinois

Democrat officials in Illinois have long taken unabashed pride in the abridgement of Second Amendment rights, and their latest attempt at “bullet control” is again making headlines.

Connecticut: Pistol Ban Advances in the Legislature

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Connecticut: Pistol Ban Advances in the Legislature

Last week, the Connecticut Judiciary Committee voted to advance HB5043 - A bill championed by Governor Ned Lamount aimed at banning so-called "convertible pistols".

California Court’s “Technical Issue” Nullifies Background Checks

News  

Monday, March 30, 2026

California Court’s “Technical Issue” Nullifies Background Checks

California, already well known for its de-policing, non-prosecution, and other soft-on-crime policies, has taken enabling criminals to a whole new level.

Is Finland Looking to Emulate America’s Founding Era on Firearms?

News  

Monday, March 30, 2026

Is Finland Looking to Emulate America’s Founding Era on Firearms?

We’ve written before about Finland, a European nation with arguably better gun laws than the majority of the continent.  

“Gun Free Zones” Herd Honest Citizens into Physical and Legal Peril

News  

Monday, March 30, 2026

“Gun Free Zones” Herd Honest Citizens into Physical and Legal Peril

Never mind the homelessness, drug use, and routine violence … according to Empire State politicians, New York City’s transit system is a “sensitive place.”

Study: Entrenched and Intensifying Leftist Bias in Social Science Research

News  

Monday, March 30, 2026

Study: Entrenched and Intensifying Leftist Bias in Social Science Research

A new study by James Manzi of the U.K.’s Oxford University has now confirmed what everyday Americans have seen for themselves at college and university campuses across the country.

NRA Defeats California Gun Control Law; State Must Pay Nearly $500,000 in Attorney Fees Incurred by NRA

Monday, March 23, 2026

NRA Defeats California Gun Control Law; State Must Pay Nearly $500,000 in Attorney Fees Incurred by NRA

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California granted a stipulation for final judgment and permanent injunction in Safari Club International v. Bonta, under which the state conceded that its firearm advertising restriction is unconstitutional ...

NRA Seeks to Invalidate California’s Handgun “Roster” in Legal Challenge

News  

Monday, March 30, 2026

NRA Seeks to Invalidate California’s Handgun “Roster” in Legal Challenge

The National Rifle Association has taken legal action challenging California’s Handgun Roster, a regulatory regime that effectively bans most commonly owned handguns.

Virginia: Legislature Adjourns from 2026 Session; Anti-Gun Bills on Governor's Desk

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Virginia: Legislature Adjourns from 2026 Session; Anti-Gun Bills on Governor's Desk

On Saturday, March 14th, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die from the 2026 legislative session, and the future of the Commonwealth hangs in the balance. 

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Challenge to New York Law Targeting Firearms Industry

Monday, March 30, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Challenge to New York Law Targeting Firearms Industry

The National Rifle Association—joined by the Second Amendment Foundation, American Suppressor Association, and Independence Institute—has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant review in National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. v. James.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.