PA Bill Number: HB829
Title: In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions;
Description: An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions;
Last Action: Signed in House
Last Action Date: Jul 3, 2024
Promised gun legislation introduced in Pittsburgh City Council; gun owners group promises legal fight :: 12/22/2018
PITTSBURGH — A promised package of gun legislation was introduced Tuesday in Pittsburgh City Council but the debate, public hearings, and potential legal battles with gun rights advocates will come in the new year. Sponsors are calling it "common sense" gun legislation for Pittsburgh. Opponents say the controls on guns would be criminal.
Several members of the gun rights group, Firearms Owners Against Crime, listened but did not speak during the council meeting where the bills were introduced.
"We were here to keep track of what was being said and what council was doing because what they're doing is a crime, flat out," Kim Stolfer, president of Firearms Owners Against Crime, told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.
Councilman Corey O'Connor says council members will work to inform people about the proposed ban on assault weapons, bump stocks, and other accessories and ammunition often used in mass shootings.
"First reaction is, we're taking everybody's gun. Well, that's not it. If you actually read the bill, these are common sense laws that a lot of people across the country, especially our state and city support," O'Connor said after the meeting.
The proposals come in the wake of the Tree of life synagogue shooting Oct. 27. They would ban assault weapons in Pittsburgh, along with accessories, ammunition, and weapon modifications often used in mass shootings. They'd also allow court orders to temporarily prohibit someone having guns if law enforcement or family show the court that the person poses significant danger.
The only person to address the issue during the opportunity for public comment at the meeting was community activist Tim Stevens, who supports the proposals to ban ownership in Pittsburgh of assault weapons.
"I've never understood why any citizen should own (assault weapons), or have the right to. There are rights and then there's ridiculousness. And that's just ridiculous," Stevens said. "You can shoot somebody -- you can shoot a whole lot of somebodies --within seconds. We found that out on Oct. 27th. We find that out on a regular basis in our African-American communities."
Opponents say current Pennsylvania law doesn't allow local government to pass gun control measures. State Rep. Dan Frankel will be sponsoring a bill to change that.
Gun rights advocates are threatening legal action against Pittsburgh council members if they pass the bills.
"All the way to the Supreme Court. And hopefully the district attorney, District Attorney (Steve) Zappala, will actually go after them for criminal violations. And from my personal beliefs, they should be taken out in handcuffs," Stolfer said.
"Our plan is to go to District Attorney Zappala to issue a criminal complaint if they do move forward and pass these ordinances," said Val Finnell, of Firearms Owners Against Crime.
"We believe we're doing what's right to protect our residents and our citizens and they should jump on board and help us. If they're for common sense laws, let's sit down at the table and have these conversations," O'Connor said.
Seven out of nine council members are co-sponsors, with Theresa Kail-Smith and Darlene Harris opting not to co-sponsor the legislation as it was introduced.
No date has yet been set for public hearings or votes on the Pittsburgh gun legislation.
