Criminal Justice (Firearms)

failed · Pennsylvania · House Sep 30, 2025

HB 1099: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for the offense of undetectable firearms.

HB 1099 would create a new criminal offense under Pennsylvania law for possessing or manufacturing undetectable firearms. These are weapons that cannot be detected by standard metal detectors, such as certain 3D-printed guns. The bill would add this specific prohibition to Pennsylvania's criminal code, making it illegal to have or produce such firearms. It directly affects individuals who possess or create undetectable firearms by establishing clear legal consequences for this activity.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds new criminal offense for undetectable firearms, expanding criminalization under PA law95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 47: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for the offense of sale or transfer of firearms.

SB 47 amends Pennsylvania law to increase liability for licensed firearm sellers who knowingly transfer weapons they believe will be used in crimes. It makes licensed dealers, importers, or manufacturers criminally liable if they sell firearms they have reason to believe will be used for criminal activity, and subjects them to civil lawsuits for injuries caused by those firearms. The bill overrides existing liability laws to hold sellers accountable for both criminal and civil consequences when sales violate firearm transfer rules. It directly affects licensed firearm businesses by expanding their legal exposure beyond standard criminal penalties. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill holds firearm sellers criminally liable for transfers likely used in crimes, aiming to reduce gun violence through accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 121: An Act providing for the establishment and funding of a center to conduct research on gun violence in this Commonwealth.

SB 121 establishes the Center for Gun Violence Research in Pennsylvania to conduct nonpartisan, academic research on gun violence causes, prevention, and impacts. The center, to be operated by a state-selected university, will analyze data on gun-related deaths, costs, and prevention strategies, and provide evidence-based findings to policymakers. It requires state agencies to share relevant data and mandates biennial reports to the Governor and General Assembly. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania residents by funding research to address a public health crisis highlighted by the state’s high gun violence death rates and the lack of federal research funding since the 1996 Dickey Amendment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 121 establishes a research center to analyze gun violence causes/prevention, providing evidence-based findings to inform criminal justice policy, directly advancing data-driven reform in a key area of criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2043: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, prohibiting certain assault weapons.

HB 2043 would prohibit the possession, sale, and transfer of specific assault weapons under Pennsylvania law. It directly affects individuals who own or attempt to purchase these firearms, as defined by the bill. The key provision creates a new criminal ban on the targeted weapons, making their possession unlawful without specified exceptions. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits assault weapons under criminal statutes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety through firearm regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 2044: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for report of theft or loss of firearm; and imposing penalties.

HB 2044 requires gun owners in Pennsylvania to report the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours. It directly affects individuals who legally own firearms by imposing a new reporting obligation. The bill specifies that failure to report within the required timeframe would be considered a misdemeanor offense, subjecting violators to penalties. This amendment modifies existing firearm laws under Title 18 to strengthen accountability for lost or stolen weapons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires firearm theft/loss reporting within 48 hours to enhance public safety and law enforcement accountability under Title 18, strengthening criminal justice protocols.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 925: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Safe Path Restricted Account; and making a transfer.

HB 925 creates a new "Safe Path Restricted Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund, initially funded by a $50 million transfer for fiscal year 2024-2025. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will manage these funds to award grants to local governments and nonprofits. These grants will support safe passage programs improving safety for people traveling to and from schools and community centers. Priority for funding will be given to communities with high gun violence rates, as determined by the commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $50M from General Fund to Safe Path Restricted Account for public safety grants, advancing state budget spending on essential community programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates $50M Safe Path Account funding community safety programs in high gun violence areas, directly supporting crime prevention and community safety initiatives central to criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $50M for safe passage grants targeting pedestrian safety near schools/community centers, directly enhancing transportation safety infrastructure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1236: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 30 (Fish), 34 (Game) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of assault of law enforcement officer; and making editorial changes.

HB 1236 strengthens penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers and hospital security officers in Pennsylvania. It creates three felony levels: a first-degree felony for discharging a firearm at such officers during duty, a third-degree felony for intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids (blood, seminal fluid, etc.), and a second-degree felony if the perpetrator knew the fluids came from someone with a reportable communicable disease that could be transmitted via the method used. These provisions apply when the perpetrator knows the victim is a law enforcement officer or hospital security officer on duty. The bill also updates sentencing guidelines to classify these assaults as "crimes of violence" under Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for assaulting officers, increasing criminalization and mandatory sentences per bill's felony-level enhancements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1486: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in bonds and recognizances, providing for bail in illegal firearm offenses in city of the first class.

HB 1486 would change bail rules for defendants charged with illegal firearm offenses in Pennsylvania's largest cities (like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). It requires defendants to pay only 10% of the full bail amount for a first offense, 50% for a second offense, and 100% for third or subsequent offenses to be released while awaiting trial. The bill applies specifically to charges under Pennsylvania's firearm laws (18 Pa.C.S. § 61) in cities of the first class. It does not alter the underlying firearm laws but modifies the bail payment structure for these cases. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces pretrial detention by lowering bail percentages (10-50%) for firearm offenses, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to decrease unnecessary incarceration while awaiting trial.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 37: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

This bill (SB 37) amends Pennsylvania law to prohibit individuals convicted of specific violent or dangerous crimes from possessing firearms. It directly affects people convicted of offenses like murder, aggravated assault, robbery, sexual assault, stalking, or certain types of kidnapping. The key mechanism adds over 50 existing criminal offenses - such as assault involving a firearm, robbery, or child sexual abuse - to a list where a conviction triggers an automatic firearm possession ban. The change clarifies that if someone is convicted of any of these listed crimes, they cannot legally own or carry a firearm.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits firearm possession for violent offenders, enhancing public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by reducing recidivism risk.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 798: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inchoate crimes, providing for the offense of possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in municipal building.

SB 798 creates a new misdemeanor offense for knowingly possessing a firearm or dangerous weapon in a municipal building when a local ordinance bans such items. It directly affects individuals entering municipal buildings (like town halls or courthouses) and requires municipalities to post clear notices and provide free, no-cost firearm check facilities within 30 days of adopting a ban. The bill specifies penalties: third-degree misdemeanors for basic possession, first-degree for possession with criminal intent, and summary offenses for certain licensed carriers who fail to check firearms. Exceptions include law enforcement, municipal officials, veterans groups on ceremonial duty, and attorneys with authorized exhibits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for firearm possession in municipal buildings, expanding criminalization of public firearm access without reform elements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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