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Firearm Bills Tracked by PFSC
Updated 3-20-2008
Report provided by
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
43) Amends Titles 18 (Crimes & Offenses) & 53 (Municipalities)
further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and
ammunition for limitation on municipal powers by stating that counties,
municipalities, townships and cities of the first class (Philadelphia) may
adopt certain ordinances regulating 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 PA.
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building,
House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Vote for passage failed in committee House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Discussed in Press Conference
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
44) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for serious drug
trafficking and violent repeat offenders not to possess, use, manufacture,
control, sell or transfer firearms. The bill sets up penalties, sentencing
guidelines and provides definitions in connection with offenses in drug
trafficking and with repeat violent offenders that also involve the use of
firearms.
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-26-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 4/26/07, House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
45) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for the offense of
access to firearms by minors by stating that a person who stores or leaves
a firearm on premises under his control and who knows or reasonably should
know that a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the
lawful permission of the minor's parent or the person in charge of the
minor or without the supervision required by law would keep the firearm in
a securely locked box or container or in a location which a reasonable
person would believe to be secure or secure the firearm with a trigger
lock, except when he is carrying the firearm on his body or within such
close proximity that he can retrieve and use it as easily and quickly as if
he carried it on his body. The bill further states that a violation only
occurs if the firearm stored or left on the premises is used in the
commission of a crime. It does not apply if the minor obtains the firearm
as a result of an unlawful entry by any person.
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-26-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 4/26/07, House Judiciary
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HB 21
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James
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Amends
Title 42 re bail & general rules
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
46) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) further providing for bail by stating that
the amount of bail fixed for any person charged with an offense committed
while the person used or displayed a firearm would not be less than $50,000
unless special circumstances are presented.
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
09-19-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol, House
Judiciary
09-19-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Judiciary
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HB 22
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Myers
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Amends
Title 18 re handgun purchase limits
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
47) Amends Title 18 (Crimes) by adding that no person may purchase more
than one handgun in PA within any 30-day period. Also, no person may sell
or cause to be sold to a person in PA more than one handgun within any
30-day period. A person that violates this section commits a summary
offense and would pay a fine of $300. The bill establishes the Violence
Prevention Fund. Money in the fund is appropriated to the Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency solely for purposes of violence
prevention and youth violence prevention, including youth education and
activities designed to prevent violence and grants to law enforcement
agencies for equipment and training designed to prevent gun-related
injuries. In addition to any other duty prescribed by this section, a
seller of a handgun would request the Pennsylvania State Police to conduct
a handgun purchase history check to investigate whether the prospective
handgun purchaser is in compliance.
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Companions:
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HB 871 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-26-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 4/26/07, House Judiciary
03-29-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 3/29/07, House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building,
House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Vote for passage failed in committee House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Discussed in Press Conference
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HB 23
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Myers
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Amends
Titles 18 & 53 re firearm & ammo limits
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
48) Amends Title 18 (Crimes) and 53 (Municipalities) further providing for
limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition and for limitation
on municipal powers by adding that a city of the first class (Philadelphia)
may adopt an ordinance making it unlawful for a person who is not a
licensed firearms dealer to purchase more than one handgun within any
30-day period. An ordinance adopted under this paragraph may not take
effect until the local electorate ratifies it by referendum at the next
general, municipal or primary election to be held after its adoption.
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Companions:
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HB 872 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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HB 24
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Myers
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Amends
Title 18 providing for firearm tracing
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
49) Amends Title 18 (Crimes) providing for firearm tracing by adding that
upon recovering a firearm from the possession of anyone under 21 years of
age who is not permitted by Federal or State law to possess a firearm, a
local law enforcement agency would use the best available information,
including a firearms trace where necessary, to determine how and from where
the person under 21 years of age gained possession of the firearm. Local
law enforcement would use the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Local law enforcement agencies would
advise the Pennsylvania State Police of all firearms that are recovered and
the State Police would maintain a registry of all information reported.
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Companions:
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HB 873 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
SB 532 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
SB 49 (Identical)
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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HB 25
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Myers
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Amends
Titles 18 & 53 re firearms & ammo
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
50) Amends Title 18 (Crimes) and 53 (Municipalities) further providing for
limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition and for limitation
on municipal powers by adding that a city of the first class (Philadelphia)
may adopt ordinances making it unlawful for a person who is not a licensed
firearms dealer to own, use, possess or transfer an assault weapon or any
accessory or ammunition for an assault weapon. An ordinance adopted under
this paragraph may not take effect until the local electorate ratifies it
by referendum at the next general, municipal or primary election to be held
after its adoption.
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Companions:
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HB 874 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
53) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by adding that a person convicted
of section 6106(a)(1) (relating to firearms not to be carried without a
license) or section 6108(a) (relating to carrying firearms on public
streets or public property in Philadelphia) may not possess, use,
manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms. Lastly, the legislation
states that it would be a third degree felony to carry a firearm, rifle or
shotgun at any time upon the public streets or upon any public property in
Philadelphia, certain with exceptions.
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-26-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 4/26/07, House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
54) Amends Title 18 (Crimes) providing for registry for lost or stolen
firearms and for failure to report lost or stolen firearms. The
Pennsylvania State Police would maintain a registry of all firearms
reported lost or stolen in PA. The registry would contain the manufacturer,
model, caliber, serial number and any other identifying information
concerning any firearm reported lost or stolen, as well as the name of the
lawful owner of the firearm. If a firearm is reported stolen to a local law
enforcement agency, that agency would collect the required information and
would submit it to the Pennsylvania State Police within 24 hours. A person
who is the owner of a firearm that is lost or stolen and who fails, within
24 hours after the loss or theft is discovered, to report the loss or theft
to an appropriate local law enforcement official commits a summary offense,
punishable by a fine of up to $500. A person who is found to intentionally
fail to report a loss or theft commits a misdemeanor of the first degree
for a first offense and a felony of the third degree for any subsequent
offense. Also, the court may enter an order prohibiting a person convicted
for a violation of this section from the purchase or any other method of
acquiring a firearm for a period of six months.
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Companions:
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HB 1013 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-26-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 4/26/07, House Judiciary
06-26-07 H Meeting set for Off the Floor, Room 205, Ryan Office Bldg.,
House Judiciary
06-26-07 H Passed over in committee House Judiciary
06-27-07 H Meeting set for Off the Floor, Room 205 Ryan, House Judiciary
06-27-07 H Laid on table in committee House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building,
House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Laid on table in committee House Judiciary
11-20-07 H Discussed in Press Conference
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
55) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for prohibition and
registration of certain assault weapons by stating that no person would
manufacture, possess, purchase, sell or otherwise transfer any assault
weapon, or any assault weapon conversion kit. The legislation provides for
exceptions. Any person who violates this act commits a felony of the first
degree. A person may continue to possess an assault weapon that the person
legally possessed on the effective date of this act. The Pennsylvania State
Police may charge a fee for each registration and for each registration
renewal.
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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HB 41
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Thomas
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Act re
Bureau of Illegal Firearms Trafficking
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
66) The Illegal Firearms Trafficking Act establishes the Bureau of Illegal
Firearms Trafficking in the Office of the Attorney General. Duties of the
bureau would include investigating potential violations of 18 Pa.C.S.
(relating to crimes and offenses) relating to illegal firearms trafficking;
and bringing prosecutions relating to illegal firearms trafficking. The
Attorney General would receive complaints from individuals concerning
illegal firearms trafficking and investigate and assist in county
prosecutions relating to illegal firearms trafficking and, as necessary,
coordinate with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies in the
investigation of similar crimes. Additionally, the Attorney General would
annually report to the General Assembly detailing the activities engaged in
by the bureau.
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Bill History:
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01-11-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
09-19-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol, House
Judiciary
09-19-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
75) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for home invasion by
adding that a home invasion occurs if an individual enters the dwelling
place of another with an intent to commit an offense while the dwelling is
occupied and the individual remains there even though the intruder knows
that the dwelling is still occupied. A home invasion would be graded as a
first degree felony.
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Bill History:
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01-17-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
199) Amends the Lethal Weapons Training Act further providing for education
and training program by adding that all privately employed agents who, as
an incidence to their employment, carry a lethal weapon would be required
to attend the program in accordance with the requirements or regulations
established by the commissioner and, upon satisfactory completion of the
program, would be entitled to certification by the commissioner. Those who
have been granted a waiver from compliance and those who have certification
under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 29 (relating to officers serving process and enforcing
orders) would be exempt from this requirement.
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Companions:
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HB 145 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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01-31-07
H Filed
02-01-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
309) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) requiring trigger locks on all
handguns except antique ones. Handguns would be required to have ballistics
identifiers. A person who violates the provision is subject to a civil
penalty between $7,500 and $15,000 and a fine between $500 and $1,000 for
each handgun.
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Companions:
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HB 978 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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02-05-07
H Filed
02-06-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
333) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for safety standard
for handguns by stating that the Pennsylvania State Police would promulgate
regulations prescribing a handgun safety performance standard. The safety
standard would include, but not be limited to, the following requirements:
(1) a handgun would be personalized so that it can only be fired when
operated by that handgun's authorized user or users, (2) the technology
establishing personalized handguns would be incorporated into the design of
a handgun and be part of its original equipment and not an accessory, and
(3) no personalized handgun may be manufactured to permit the personalized
characteristics to be readily deactivated. The bill provides for exemptions
and penalties for violations.
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Bill History:
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02-06-07
H Filed
02-07-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
377) Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary) providing
for the offenses of criminal gang activity and criminal gang solicitation
and recruitment; establishing the Criminal Gang Deterrence Fund; providing
for disposition for criminal gang activity offenders; further providing for
disposition of delinquent child and for controlled substance forfeiture;
providing for alcohol and drug treatment; imposing penalties; and making an
appropriation of $1,000,000 to the Criminal Gang Deterrence Fund for the
fiscal year 2007-2008.
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Bill History:
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02-07-07
H Filed
02-09-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-26-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 4/26/07, House Judiciary
09-11-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 418, Main Capitol, House
Judiciary
09-11-07 H Public hearing held in committee House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
518) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) further providing for persons
prohibited from possessing, using, manufacturing, controlling, selling or
transferring firearms and for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) by adding
that any facility or agency providing voluntary care or treatment of an
individual who authorized the voluntary treatment under the Mental Health
Procedures Act would notify the PSP of the identity of the individual. The
notification would be transmitted to the PSP within seven days of the
voluntary treatment. Upon receipt of notification that an individual who
was receiving voluntary treatment has withdrawn from treatment, the PSP
would expunge all records of the voluntary treatment.
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Companions:
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HB 77 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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02-15-07
H Filed
02-26-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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HB 466
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Dally
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Amends
Title 42 re sheriffs and deputy sheriff
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
528) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) further providing for powers and duties of
sheriffs and deputy sheriffs by stating that all sheriffs and deputy
sheriffs who have successfully completed the same type of training as
municipal police officers may exercise the same powers as municipal police
officers to make arrests, without warrants, for all crimes and offenses.
Also, the bill states that every sheriff and deputy sheriff would have the
powers, duties, responsibilities and immunities conferred on municipal
police officers generally and specifically under sections 8952 (relating to
primary municipal police jurisdiction) and 8953 (relating to Statewide
municipal police jurisdiction).
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Companions:
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HB 2985 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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02-20-07
H Filed
02-26-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
03-07-07 H Discussed in Budget Hearing with State Police, House
Appropriations
01-31-08 H Hearing set for 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Building, House
Judiciary
01-23-08 H Meeting cancelled for 01/31/08, House Judiciary
02-21-08 H Hearing set for 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building,
House Judiciary
02-21-08 H Public hearing held in committee House Judiciary
03-04-08 H Discussed in budget hearing with the PA State Police, House
Appropriations
03-11-08 H Press conference held
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
538) Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary) providing
for unlawful transfers of firearms by creating the offense of making straw
purchases. No person, other than a licensed dealer, licensed manufacturer
or licensed importer, may purchase a firearm knowing or intending that it
will thereafter be transferred to another individual. It is a defense that
the defendant purchased the firearm knowing or intending that it would be
transferred as a bona fide gift to another individual. Under the bill, if a
person is convicted of a straw purchase offense and if the firearm is used,
subsequent to purchase, in the commission of a crime of violence, the
person commits a felony of the second degree and would be sentenced to a
minimum sentence of at least five years.
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Bill History:
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02-16-07
H Filed
02-26-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
738) Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities
Generally) by stating that a city of the first class (Philadelphia) may
establish a Municipal Firearms Enforcement Commission. The commission would
be an instrumentality of the city, exercising the city's powers to
legislate regarding firearms and ammunition. The commission would continue
until its existence is terminated by the city. The commission would have
the power to consider and adopt ordinances for the city regarding the
lawful ownership, possession, transfer and transportation of firearms,
ammunition and ammunition components. An ordinance adopted under this
section may not take effect until the local electorate ratifies it by
referendum at the next general, municipal or primary election to be held
after its adoption.
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Bill History:
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02-20-07
H Filed
03-09-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Local Government
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
647) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) further providing for grading of
theft offenses by adding that receiving stolen property would be a felony
of the first degree when it involves a firearm and the receiver is in the
business of buying or selling stolen property.
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Companions:
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HB 2751 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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02-27-07
H Filed
03-06-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-24-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building,
House Judiciary
04-24-07 H Passed over in committee House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
674) The Child Firearm Safety Lock Act would provide for child firearm
safety lock mechanisms. The legislation is designed to promote safe use of
firearms by authorized users, and prevent use by unauthorized users and
children without hindering the firearm industry. The bill would make it
illegal to sell or transfer any weapon without providing a locking device
for it. Exceptions to this rule include firearms possessed by law
enforcement officers, firearms that qualify as antiques, or firearms for
which a safety device is temporarily unavailable. The bill stipulates
penalties for violations including the suspension of license and a civil
penalty of up to $10,000. The bill provides that any person who properly
uses a safety device with a firearm will have immunity from civil liability
that may result from the unauthorized criminal use of the firearm by a third
party.
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Companions:
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HB 2113 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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02-28-07
H Filed
03-06-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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HB 618
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Hanna
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Amends
Title 18 re restoration of firearms
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
683) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) further providing definitions of
"disabling offense" and "violent crime."
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Bill History:
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02-28-07
H Filed
03-06-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
03-20-07 H Meeting set for Off the Floor, Room G-50, Irvis Office Build,
House Judiciary
03-20-07 H Discussed and held over, House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
702) Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary) by further
providing for self-protection by adding that an individual is presumed to
have a reasonable belief that deadly force is immediately necessary to
protect himself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual
intercourse compelled by force or threat if both of the following exist:
(1) the person against whom the defensive force was used was in the process
of unlawfully and forcefully entering a dwelling, residence or occupied
vehicle, or if that person unlawfully and forcefully removed another
against that other's will from the dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle;
and (2) the individual had reason to believe that an unlawful and forceful
entry or act was occurring or had occurred. A person who unlawfully and by
force enters or attempts to enter an individual's dwelling, residence or
occupied vehicle is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit an
act resulting in death or serious bodily injury or kidnapping or sexual
intercourse by force or threat. The legislation provides for civil immunity
for use of force.
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Bill History:
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02-28-07
H Filed
03-06-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
12-11-07 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building,
House Judiciary
12-10-07 H Removed from meeting agenda for 12/11/07, House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
802) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for a Statewide
registry of protective orders; further providing for protective orders, for
notice on protective orders and for violation of orders; providing for
civil protective orders; and making editorial changes.
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Bill History:
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03-08-07
H Filed
03-09-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
881) The Firearm Registration Act requires all firearms in the Commonwealth
to be registered with the Pennsylvania State Police and imposing penalties.
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Companions:
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HB 2956 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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03-12-07
H Filed
03-19-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Judiciary
04-24-07 H Discussed in press conference
04-26-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 4/26/07, House Judiciary
03-29-07 H Discussed in Public Hearing - 3/29/07, House Judiciary
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HB 784
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Petri
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Amends
Title 18 re sale or transfer of arms
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