Bill > HB548

This bill strengthens Pennsylvania's existing firearms preemption law by clarifying and expanding the rights of individuals to challenge local firearms regulations that may conflict with state law. The bill creates a new legal mechanism allowing a "person adversely affected" (which includes residents who can legally possess firearms and membership organizations) to seek declarative and injunctive relief against local ordinances that improperly regulate firearms. If such a person provides 60 days' advance written notice and successfully challenges a local regulation through court action or prompts its rescission, they can be awarded reasonable expenses, including attorney fees, expert witness fees, court costs, and compensation for lost income. The bill also explicitly states that the Commonwealth fully intends to occupy the entire field of firearms regulation, preempting any local ordinances, resolutions, or rules related to firearms, ammunition, magazines, or related components. The Attorney General is required to notify municipal associations about these changes within 30 days, and the new provisions will take effect 90 days after enactment. The primary goal is to ensure consistent firearms regulations across Pennsylvania by preventing local governments from creating a patchwork of potentially conflicting rules.

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=548