Senator Scott Hutchinson’s effort to ensure that responsible gun owners are protected against having their firearms confiscated during future emergency situations moved closer to enactment with the amending and approval of Senate Bill 1019 by the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee today.
Prior to the passage of that bill, it was amended to include the language similar to Senate Bill 36, a measure introduced by Senator Hutchinson.
The amended bill preserves the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners by preventing state and local governments from banning the sale of firearms and the right to legally carry firearms during an emergency. Current law allows the Governor to limit or suspend the transportation and/or sales of firearms during an emergency.
Controversy erupted when Governor Wolf issued a disaster declaration regarding the Commonwealth’s efforts to battle the opioid crisis and many feared that could infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of Pennsylvania citizens.
The controversy over the Governor’s disaster declaration is another reminder of the need to prevent state and local governments from infringing on the rights of responsible citizens,” Senator Hutchinson said. “Lawmakers need to take action to ensure the rights of law-abiding gun owners are protected.”
Senate Bill 1019 updates the Emergency Management Sections of Title 35 (Health & Safety) and enhances Pennsylvania’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and manmade disasters.
Contact: Justin Leventry (717) 787-9684 jleventry@pasen.gov