NRA-ILA | Pennsylvania Court Knocks Out Pittsburgh Gun Control in NRA-Backed Case

Pennsylvania Court Knocks Out Pittsburgh Gun Control in NRA-Backed Case

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Fairfax, Va. - The National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today applauded a decision by the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Pennsylvania. In the NRA-backed case Anderson v. City of Pittsburgh, the court found that Pittsburgh's attempt to impose local gun control measures was a clear violation of state law.

“This is a huge victory for law-abiding gun owners and everyone who values freedom in the Keystone state,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director, NRA-ILA. “Cases like this underscore the peoples’ need for judges who will faithfully interpret the law in defense of their rights and liberties.”

At issue was a Pittsburgh restriction on so-called "high capacity" magazines. Pennsylvania, like 45 other states, has a preemption law restricting local governments from passing gun control measures that are more restrictive than state law.

Preemption laws protect law-abiding gun owners from dealing with a confusing patchwork of laws in a single state.

"We are grateful that the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas saw what is clear on the face of the statute, that the general assembly alone regulates firearms in Pennsylvania," said attorney Jonathan Goldstein with Goldstein Law Partners.

Earlier this month, NRA-backed firearm preemption cases in Washington and Montana voided similar unlawful local ordinances.

"This is a great day for law-abiding Pennsylvania gun owners. The NRA applauds this ruling and will continue defending our constitutional rights everywhere,” Ouimet concluded.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.

TRENDING NOW

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

Legal & Legislation

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced a slate of gun control bills targeting semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines, carry rights, home storage, and more.

The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

News

Monday, January 26, 2026

The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments in a Second Amendment case that asked whether handgun carry licensees could be presumptively banned from carrying their arms onto publicly accessible private property.

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

News

Monday, January 26, 2026

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

On Jan. 22, ATF published an interim final rule (IFR) that revises the agency’s approach to determining who is an “unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” and therefore prohibited from owning or receiving firearms ...

Commonwealth Countries Continue to Illustrate Folly of Overreach on Guns

News

Monday, January 26, 2026

Commonwealth Countries Continue to Illustrate Folly of Overreach on Guns

As America gets ready to embark on its 250th birthday celebrations, it’s a good time to assess and appreciate how lucky we are, with constitutional protections of speech and gun rights. Nothing puts that into ...