Anti-gun lawmakers in Harrisburg are attempting to kill an important firearms preemption bill, and have filed 122 amendments in an attempt to derail House Bill 2011. HB 2011 passed in the House Judiciary Committee by a 20 to 5 vote on March 18, and is scheduled for consideration by the full House of Representatives after they return from their legislative recess on Monday, March 31.
Sponsored by state Representative Mark Keller (R-86), HB 2011 would strengthen Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption law to further ensure that firearm and ammunition laws are consistent throughout the state. Pennsylvania law specifically states:
"No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth." Title 18 Pa.C.S., Section 6120
State firearms preemption was enacted by the state legislature to avoid the possibility of 2,639 separate gun laws across the Commonwealth. However, over recent years, nearly fifty local governments have knowingly enacted gun control ordinances in violation of the state firearms preemption law.
A myriad of local gun laws makes compliance very difficult and nearly impossible for responsible gun owners. This type of system creates a scenario where gun owners and sportsmen have difficulty even knowing about certain laws, much less understanding them.
Over the past four years, the Pennsylvania Legislature has failed to act on this important pro-gun reform. Make sure this does not happen again. Contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to support HB 2011 without ANY anti-gun amendments. For contact information or help identifying your state lawmakers, please click here.