A bill that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s preemption statute and further prevent local governments from adopting their own gun control, passed a Senate Committee this week. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance House Bill 979 on a 9 to 5 vote Wednesday.
This legislation strengthens preemption, preventing municipalities from creating a patchwork of local gun laws across Pennsylvania that could be inconsistent with state law and subject otherwise lawful gun owners to different firearm regulations as they travel within the Commonwealth. It also provides plaintiffs who challenge these laws in court an opportunity to recover attorney fees and court costs if they successfully make their case.
This legislation will likely get a vote from the full Senate next week. HB 979 passed the House last summer, and final Senate approval next week would advance this critical Second Amendment legislation to the Governor.
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