Gun Safety

Appropriate regulation begins with the guns themselves. The League supports a ban on all semi-automatic assault weapons, as these weapons are designed for military situations, not for leisure, hunting, or self-defense. Similarly, the League supports limiting magazine size and banning “bump stocks,” as these accessories are specifically designed to increase fire-power in a way that is not consistent with non-military use. These measures will increase consumer safety by decreasing the ease with which a deranged shooter can inflict mass casualties.

The second level for regulation concerns those who manufacture guns and who sell guns to the public. The League encourages the highest level of safety awareness and responsibility by gun manufacturers and therefore opposes limits on lawsuits against those manufacturers. The League supports the inclusion of child safety locks and other safety equipment for all guns manufactured and sold in this country. The League also supports better regulation and monitoring of gun dealers, as well as an increase in the penalties for the straw purchase of guns. Regulating the sources and sellers of guns promotes consumer safety by controlling which guns enter the marketplace and how they are made available.

The third level for regulation involves those who purchase guns. The League supports robust licensing procedures that will help weed out those who are legally precluded from gun ownership, especially those attempting to purchase guns during a time of crisis. All gun purchases should be subject to a waiting period, which serves to allow time for personal identity verification, an adequate background check, and a cooling-off period. In addition, every purchase of a handgun or a long gun should require a background check, whether the purchase occurs in a store, at a gun show, or through a private sale. Consumers are best protected when we ensure that those who should not have guns are prevented from purchasing them.

Safety measures should not stop after purchase. The League supports mandatory gun safety education for all gun owners. In addition, gun owners should be required to renew their license annually, as a way to determine if circumstances have changed in a way that would preclude gun ownership. The fee from the issuance and renewal of gun licenses should be set at a level that will cover the cost of background checks and gun safety education. Promoting responsible gun ownership is one of our best ways to improve consumer safety.

Once guns are in the hands of private owners, they represent the greatest risk in terms of potential violence, accidents, and suicides. Therefore, the League supports the enforcement of strict penalties for improper possession of guns and for crimes committed with guns. The League also opposes the concept of open carry of handguns, and open carry of long guns not being used in hunting or sport, and also opposes reciprocity of concealed carry between states. Again, we want to promote behaviors of responsible gun ownership as a way to ensure the safety of others.

To further promote consumer safety, the League supports a mandatory requirement to report lost or stolen firearms. Timely reporting of loss or theft is an important tool to allow law enforcement to track gun thieves and reduce gun violence. For emergency situations, the League supports the concept of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs). An ERPO would allow family members or law enforcement to temporarily remove guns from someone in crisis without the stigma and longevity of an involuntary mental-health commitment. ERPOs can be utilized effectively in cases where a loved one might be temporarily suicidal or homicidal, removing guns until the signs of crisis have subsided and the threat to the public has passed.

The League is closely watching four bills related to PA gun safety.

HB 744 - Oppose - would prohibit Pennsylvania from disclosing information on firearm purchases to any entity, including the federal government.

HB 712  - Requires owners to report the loss or theft of firearms

HB 713  - Safe storage of firearms

HB 714 - Requires background check for all sales of firearms, regardless of barrel length, and regardless of whether purchased through licensed retail dealer, private sale or gun show

LWVPA Where We Stand (p. 75)| LWVUS Impact on Issues (p. 144)

Coalition Organizations:
●CeaseFirePA