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 Jun 8, 2026

HB 2244: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax. Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for the offense of unauthorized access to firearms.

This bill introduces two main changes to Pennsylvania law: it exempts gun safes and gun locks from sales and use tax, and it creates a new criminal offense for failing to securely store firearms. Under the new provisions, firearm owners must keep their weapons locked in a designated safe or with a locking device when not in use, with stricter penalties if a minor or unauthorized person is likely to be present. The legislation also establishes civil liability for owners whose unsecured firearms cause injury or property damage and requires retailers to post notices about secure storage laws. Additionally, the bill clarifies that gun cabinets do not qualify as gun safes and defines specific terms like "securely store" and "unauthorized user" to guide enforcement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts gun safes and locks from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new offense for unauthorized access to firearms and mandates secure storage, strengthening public safety and criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Firearms

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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 May 27, 2026

HB 2531: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in obstructing governmental operations, further providing for disarming law enforcement officer.

This bill introduces a new crime in Pennsylvania called disarming a law enforcement officer, which would apply to corrections officers and school security guards as well. It makes it a third-degree felony to take or try to take a firearm, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon from these officials when they are working, provided the person knows or has reason to know who they are. The law would take effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a new felony for disarming law enforcement officers, enhancing protections for officials and strengthening public safety within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 1216: An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, in creation of leases, statute of frauds and mortgaging of leaseholds, providing for residential rental application fees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate residential rental application fees and background check policies. It limits application fees to the lesser of the actual cost of a background check or $50, allowing landlords to charge only for criminal history and credit checks. The legislation also requires landlords to make individualized assessments when considering criminal history, evaluating factors like the nature of the offense and time elapsed since conviction. These rules apply only to residential properties and cannot be waived by applicants through contracts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits application fees and requires individualized assessments for criminal history, protecting tenants' civil rights and reducing discriminatory practices in housing.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits application fees and requires individualized assessments for criminal history, protecting tenant rights and reducing barriers to housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 1139: An Act providing for extent of cooperation between certain law enforcement agencies and Federal immigration authorities; prohibiting certain acts by law enforcement agencies; and providing for policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement.

SB 1139, the Police and Community Safety Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources (including funds, facilities, or personnel) to assist federal immigration enforcement. It bans officers from inquiring about an individual's immigration status except when required by federal law (such as for gun purchases under 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)(5)) and prevents agencies from detaining individuals for immigration purposes. The bill aims to build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement to improve public safety, directly affecting all local police departments, sheriff's offices, and school security in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement and limits immigration status inquiries, building community trust. Aligns with criminal justice reform by enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement, limiting cooperation and protecting immigrants from detention for immigration status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 9, 2026

HB 2126: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 23 (Domestic Relations) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for definitions, for the offense of persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for the offense of firearms not to be carried without a license and for licenses, providing for firearm eligibility license, for application for firearm eligibility license, for fee and qualification, for training course and investigations and for issuance and terms and further providing for sale or transfer of firearms, for Pennsylvania State Police, for proof of license and exception and for administrative regulations; and making editorial changes.

HB 2126 requires Pennsylvania residents to obtain a new "firearm eligibility license" to purchase a firearm, making it illegal to possess a firearm without this license. The bill adds an exception allowing individuals with an expired carry license (within six months) to carry a firearm without penalty if eligible for renewal. It also ensures that individuals prohibited from possessing a firearm (including those without the eligibility license) cannot obtain a license to carry, affecting both firearm purchasers and carry license applicants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires firearm eligibility license to prevent prohibited persons from possessing firearms, enhancing public safety through regulated firearm access, a core criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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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 Jan 9, 2026

SB 1137: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for Pennsylvania State Police.

SB 1137 allows individuals denied a firearm transaction due to their criminal, juvenile, or mental health records to challenge the accuracy of those records. The bill requires the Pennsylvania State Police to accept written challenges within 30 days of denial and permits the person to request subpoenas for documents supporting the denial. This process provides a formal mechanism for correcting potential errors in the records used during background checks. The bill directly affects anyone denied a firearm based on these records in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows correction of erroneous criminal records in firearm background checks, protecting civil rights and ensuring due process in denial decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice Policing

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