PA Bill Number: HB1661
Title: Further providing for schedules of controlled substances; and providing for secure storage of xylazine.
Description: Further providing for schedules of controlled substances; and providing for secure storage of xylazine. ...
Last Action: Act No. 17 of 2024
Last Action Date: May 15, 2024
House Bill 230 seeks to make PA a 'constitutional-carry' state :: 03/11/2015
State Rep. Bryan Cutler has had a license to carry a firearm for 18 years.
He doesn't think he should need one, given that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees "the right of the people to keep and bear arms."
"I don't like having a permission slip from the government to exercise a constitutional right," he said.
(RELATED: Gun-rights advocates say PA rules are confusing.)
Cutler is a co-sponsor to House Bill 230, which would make Pennsylvania a "constitutional carry" state.
"It is necessary to codify the inherent right to the carrying of firearms, whether openly or concealed, and that the right to self-defense is an inherent natural right that shall not be questioned," states the bill introduced in January by state Rep. Rick Saccone of Allegheny County.
Under constitutional-carry rules, people who are legally allowed to own guns would be allowed to carry them without a license any place where guns may be carried.
"If a citizen passes a criminal background check to purchase a new firearm, it is patently unjust and constitutionally questionable to add layers of bureaucratic regulations on those who are least likely to commit a crime just because the citizen prefers to carry his weapon concealed," Saccone wrote in a memorandum preceding introduction of the bill.
Currently, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Wyoming and Vermont are the only states in the nation that have adopted constitutional-carry rules.
Since it was founded in 1791, Vermont has never restricted residents, who are legally allowed to own guns, from carrying them.
Shira Goodman, executive director of CeaseFirePA, a statewide coalition fighting gun violence, believes adopting constitutional carry rules here is unnecessary.
She supports making people who want to carry concealed guns obtain licenses to do so.
"I don't think the requirements of that license are unduly burdensome," she said.
HB 230 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 27.
