Pennsylvanians NEED Senate Bill 822 to run now
Last October, Gun Owners of America testified before the Senate Local Government Committee that passing SB 822 was necessary to strengthen Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption law. That has never been more true.
This bill has been languishing in the Senate Local Government Committee chaired by Senator Dawn Keefer (R-31). Now is the time to push SB 822! Join us in urging Senator Keefer in getting this bill up for a vote now!
You may ask: What is preemption? It is our state law that says that only the Pennsylvania General Assembly can enact laws related to the regulation of firearms:
No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth. (18 PA.C.S. § 6120)
Rogue municipalities like Philadelphia continue to violate this law without any repercussion or accountability, due to the lack of teeth in the law. Meanwhile, they have the unlimited resources of Bloomberg front organizations to defend them in court. If law-abiding gun owners are ever going to turn the tide, we need the tools laid out in SB 822.
SB 822 provides law-abiding citizens with the ability to recover damages, reasonable attorney fees, and costs if a court finds that a local ordinance violates the state firearms preemption law. It also would award costs to an unsuspecting citizen charged with a crime under one of these illegal ordinances who is subsequently acquitted.
Not only that, but this bill would allow membership organizations, like GOA, to sue on your behalf. SB 822 also delivers long-overdue clarity on the scope of preemption, permanently ending any ability of local governments to pass illegal gun control ordinances without facing consequences
And don’t forget: Everytown USA promised free legal help to ANY city anywhere that wants to challenge their state’s firearms preemption law. Meanwhile, honest gun owners like you and me get stuck with paying for costly legal challenges to restore our gun rights.
Gun Owners, use the form above and let’s send a clear message to Senator Keefer and the rest of the Senate that we demand action on this vital piece of legislation. Join us by sending an email and making your voice heard.
