House Bill 2011, important firearms preemption legislation, was introduced yesterday by pro-gun state Representative Mark Keller (R-86). If passed and enacted into law, HB 2011 would strengthen Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption law to further ensure firearm and ammunition laws are consistent throughout the state. This important bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Title 18 Pa.C.S., Section 6120 of Pennsylvania law specifically states that “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.”
State firearms preemption was enacted by the Pennsylvania Legislature to avoid the possibility of 2,639 separate firearm laws across the Commonwealth. However, over recent years, nearly fifty local governments have enacted gun control ordinances in violation of the current state firearms preemption law.
The myriad of local firearm laws makes compliance very difficult and nearly impossible for responsible gun owners. This creates a situation where gun owners and sportsmen have difficulty even knowing about certain laws, much less understanding them. HB 2011 will correct this problem by preventing localities from imposing ordinances more restrictive than laws passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature by allowing anyone adversely affected by an ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule or practice to file suit against the county, municipality or township. An individual affected may also be awarded reasonable expenses by the court if the court rules in their favor or the regulation is repealed after the lawsuit is filed but before the final determination is made.
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. For contact information or help identifying your state lawmakers, please click here.