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Bill > SB357
PA SB357
PA SB357In inchoate crimes, further providing for the offense of possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in court facility; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for relinquishment of firearms and firearm licenses by convicted persons, repealing provisions relating to firearms not to be carried without a license and to carrying loaded weapons other than firearms, providing for license not required, further providing for prohibited conduct during emergency, repealing provisi
summary
Introduced
04/04/2025
04/04/2025
In Committee
04/04/2025
04/04/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inchoate crimes, further providing for the offense of possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in court facility; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for relinquishment of firearms and firearm licenses by convicted persons, repealing provisions relating to firearms not to be carried without a license and to carrying loaded weapons other than firearms, providing for license not required, further providing for prohibited conduct during emergency, repealing provisions relating to carrying firearms on public streets or public property in Philadelphia, providing for sportsman's firearm permit and further providing for licenses, for sale or transfer of firearms, for antique firearms and for proof of license and exception; in protection from abuse, further providing for relief; in hunting and furtaking, further providing for cooperation after lawfully killing big game; in protection of property and persons, further providing for loaded firearms in vehicles; and making editorial changes. The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) The laws in existence regulating firearms licensing are ineffectual in preventing crime and only interfere with the natural rights of law-abiding citizens. (2) It is necessary to codify the inherent right to the carrying of firearms, whether openly or concealed, and that the right to self-defense is an inherent natural right that shall not be questioned as stated in section 21 of Article I of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
AI Summary
This bill significantly revises Pennsylvania's firearms laws to expand gun carry rights and remove certain licensing restrictions. The bill repeals existing laws requiring licenses to carry firearms (sections 6106 and 6108), and introduces a new section establishing that every person in Pennsylvania has a "fundamental constitutional right to keep and bear firearms," including the right to carry firearms openly or concealed without a mandatory license. While obtaining a firearms license remains optional, the bill maintains background check requirements and prohibitions for individuals who are legally barred from possessing firearms. The bill also modifies provisions related to carrying firearms during emergencies, in court facilities, and during hunting activities, reducing previous restrictions on firearm possession and transportation. Key changes include shortening investigation periods for license applications from 45 to 14 days, removing certain disqualifying characteristics like being a "habitual drunkard," and creating a new optional "sportsman's firearm permit" for hunting-related activities. The legislation appears motivated by a declared intent to codify an inherent right to firearm possession and reduce what lawmakers view as overly restrictive licensing requirements. The bill will take effect 60 days after passage.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (17)
Cris Dush (R)*,
Dave Argall (R),
Camera Bartolotta (R),
Michele Brooks (R),
Jarrett Coleman (R),
Chris Gebhard (R),
Scott Hutchinson (R),
Dawn Keefer (R),
Wayne Langerholc (R),
Doug Mastriano (R),
Tracy Pennycuick (R),
Kristin Phillips-Hill (R),
Greg Rothman (R),
Lynda Schlegel-Culver (R),
Pat Stefano (R),
Judy Ward (R),
Gene Yaw (R),
Last Action
Referred to Judiciary (on 04/04/2025)
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