The Gutted Bill Contains the Exact Same Permitless Carry Language as SB 565, Which Governor Tom Wolf Vetoed in December
The Pennsylvania chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement after lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee gutted a potentially life-saving gun safety bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm and replaced the bill text with dangerous permitless carry language that would allow people to carry concealed loaded handguns in public places without a permit during a hearing yesterday morning. The new text of HB717 contains the same permitless carry language as SB565, which Governor Tom Wolf already vetoed late last year. The bill now goes to the House floor for further consideration.
“It is shameful and frustrating that Republican legislators once again chose the interests of the gun lobby over protecting their constituents while gun violence is increasing in our communities,” said Sara Getz, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our lawmakers should be prioritizing bills that will take action to address our gun violence crisis, not using legislative loopholes to push bills that we know will actively put lives at risk. It’s far past time that our lawmakers stop siding with the gun lobby and recognize that they will be held accountable for their reckless actions.”
In an average year in Pennsylvania, 1,628 people die by guns, and 3,058 more are wounded by guns. Gun violence costs Pennsylvania $12.1 billion each year, of which $567.4 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Pennsylvania is available here.
