Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 2599: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for firearms not to be carried without a license, for licenses and for proof of license and exception.

HB 2599 amends Pennsylvania's firearm laws to require a valid license for anyone carrying a concealed firearm on their person or inside a vehicle, with specific exceptions for those who already hold a valid license from another state or the federal government. The bill establishes that carrying a concealed firearm without a license is a third-degree felony for those with a prior criminal record, while reducing the penalty to a first-degree misdemeanor for first-time offenders. It also clarifies that individuals must present their license or proof of eligibility to law enforcement upon request and sets the law into effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by requiring concealed carry licenses and imposes felony penalties for unlicensed carrying, restricting individual rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 11, 2026

HB 2505: An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, in second class county charter law, further providing for charter limitations.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Second Class County Code to prohibit these counties from passing laws or taking actions that regulate firearms. Specifically, it removes the existing provision that allowed second-class counties to create ordinances regarding the transfer, ownership, transportation, or possession of guns. The change directly affects local governments in second-class counties by restricting their ability to implement their own gun control measures. The legislation becomes effective 60 days after it is passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts local governments' ability to regulate firearms, which limits community-level criminal justice oversight and enforcement options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 11, 2026

HB 2506: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition; and, in general provisions, further providing for limitation on municipal powers.

HB 2506 prevents Pennsylvania counties, municipalities, and townships from passing local laws that restrict the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms and ammunition, as long as those items are not already banned by state or federal law. The bill also stops local governments from suing gun manufacturers or dealers for damages related to how firearms are designed, manufactured, or sold to the public. Additionally, it removes the specific authority for municipalities to regulate firearms entirely, ensuring that gun policy remains a state-level responsibility rather than a local one.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts local law enforcement and judicial authority by preempting municipal gun regulations and blocking lawsuits against manufacturers, limiting local criminal justice oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2138: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for the offense of negligent marketing.

HB 2138 creates a new legal standard for lawsuits alleging "negligent marketing" of firearms by manufacturers or sellers. It requires plaintiffs to prove four specific conditions before a lawsuit can proceed: (1) marketing directly targeted legally prohibited firearm owners, (2) encouraged unlawful firearm use, (3) showed a direct causal link to harm, and (4) demonstrated the manufacturer violated a specific regulatory statute. If these conditions aren't met, courts must dismiss the case and award fees to the defending manufacturer or seller. The bill directly affects plaintiffs seeking to sue firearm companies and provides stronger legal protections for those companies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts lawsuits against firearm manufacturers by imposing strict pleading requirements, limiting legal accountability for marketing practices related to firearms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 556: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for registration of firearms; and imposing penalties.

SB 556 prohibits Pennsylvania government entities from creating or maintaining firearm ownership registries and bans payment processors from classifying gun retailers differently than general merchandise stores. It directly affects local governments, law enforcement, banks, and firearm sellers by preventing registry systems and requiring uniform payment classifications for gun retailers. The bill imposes penalties including third-degree felonies for registry violations and $2,500 administrative fines for payment classification violations. It does not change firearm ownership laws but targets administrative and financial practices related to gun sales. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits firearm registries and restricts government oversight of firearms, weakening a key criminal justice oversight tool per OPPOSE indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1065: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions and providing for the offense of sale of firearm or firearm parts without serial numbers and for privately made firearms.

HB 1065 creates a new felony offense for selling unmarked firearm components in Pennsylvania. It specifically targets the sale of firearm frames/receivers, silencer frames, split/modular frames, or partially complete frames without serial numbers registered to a federal firearms licensee. The bill defines "privately made firearm" as one assembled by non-licensed individuals without federal serial markings. This law directly affects sellers of homemade or unlicensed firearm parts, making such sales a third-degree felony. It does not change laws regarding firearm ownership or purchase, only penalizing the sale of unmarked components.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for unmarked firearm parts, expanding criminalization per indicators85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2025

HB 1443: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons; in assault, further providing for discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure; in theft and related offenses, further providing for definitions; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for prohibiting of paramilitary training; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions, for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for firearms not to be carried without a license and for prohibited conduct during emergency, providing for 3-D printed firearms and further providing for sale or transfer of firearms, for firearm sales surcharge, for registration of firearms and for licensing of dealers.

HB 1443 amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code to explicitly include "3-D printed firearms" in key definitions across multiple sections. It defines "3-D printed firearm" as a digital file intended to create a gun via 3-D printer, and clarifies that "firearm" encompasses any weapon - whether traditional or 3-D printed - that expels projectiles using explosives. The bill updates prohibitions on possessing, selling, or transferring firearms (including 3-D printed versions) and requires licensing for dealers and registration of firearms. This affects all Pennsylvanians who manufacture, sell, or possess firearms, including those using 3-D printing technology.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by explicitly prohibiting 3-D printed firearms under existing firearm prohibitions, increasing regulatory scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 39: 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 public recreation area.

SB 39 creates a new misdemeanor offense for knowingly possessing a firearm or dangerous weapon in a public recreation area (like a city park or public pool), with penalties ranging from a third-degree misdemeanor (for simple possession) to a first-degree misdemeanor (if intended for criminal use). It specifically excludes law enforcement officers, Pennsylvania Game Commission instructors, and veterans groups during ceremonial duties from this rule. The bill defines "dangerous weapon" to include items like knives with automatic blades or explosives, and clarifies that private recreation areas (e.g., privately owned parks) are not affected by this law. This bill directly impacts individuals entering public recreational spaces with weapons, while maintaining existing rights for private property owners.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for firearm possession in public areas, expanding criminalization without reform elements; excludes specific groups but increases penalties for general public.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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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 · 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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