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
HOA Firearm Clash Augurs a Broader Legal Debate

News  

Monday, June 1, 2026

HOA Firearm Clash Augurs a Broader Legal Debate

The fight to defend Second Amendment rights is not confined to Washington, D.C., or even to the halls of state capitals.

Virginia’s Semiauto Ban Hits Snag With County Enforcement Officials

News  

Monday, June 1, 2026

Virginia’s Semiauto Ban Hits Snag With County Enforcement Officials

While Virginia’s bans on “assault firearms” and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds was signed into law on May 14, and is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, it remains to be seen ...

Yet Another Tragic Example of the False Promise of Red Flag Laws

News  

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Yet Another Tragic Example of the False Promise of Red Flag Laws

We’ve consistently highlighted the defects of “red flag” laws, the chief of which is the underlying philosophy that compelling removal of a person’s own firearms is a sufficient resolution of any risk or threat of harm.

New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

On Wednesday, May 27, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S.9005C, which “enacts into law major components” of the state’s public protection and general government budget.

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Post Office Carry Ban

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Post Office Carry Ban

The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, and three NRA members today filed a lawsuit challenging the federal prohibition on carrying firearms at United States Post Offices.

Department of Interior Announces Major Expansion for Hunters and Anglers

News  

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Department of Interior Announces Major Expansion for Hunters and Anglers

This week, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced it will be issuing a proposed rule that would result in the largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in agency history.

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

The National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging Maryland’s ban on Glock and Glock-style handguns.

Oregon: Initiative Petition 28 Threat to Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Heritage One Step Closer to Reality

Friday, May 29, 2026

Oregon: Initiative Petition 28 Threat to Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Heritage One Step Closer to Reality

The criminalization of hunting and fishing is one step closer to a reality in Oregon. 

Virginia: Despite Injunction, Virginia State Police to Conduct Background Checks for Private Sales

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Virginia: Despite Injunction, Virginia State Police to Conduct Background Checks for Private Sales

On May 27th, Virginia-based gun rights group the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) was informed by the Virginia Attorney General’s office that the Virginia State Police (VSP) would resume conducting background checks on private firearm ...

California: Multiple Anti-Gun Bills on the Move

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

California: Multiple Anti-Gun Bills on the Move

California lawmakers continue pushing sweeping anti-gun legislation targeting law-abiding gun owners, new residents, and even emerging technologies.

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.