August 6, 2019
For immediate release

GOA-PA Statement on Mayor Peduto, Mom’s Demand Action Press Conference

Pittsburgh, PA — Gun Owners of America categorically opposes the call for draconian gun control measures proposed by Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, Governor Tom Wolf, and other Pennsylvania legislators. GOA’s Pennsylvania members demand that the state legislature vote against any and all gun control bills.

Pennsylvania Director for GOA, Dr. Val Finnell, stated the following after Mayor Peduto’s press conference with Moms Demand Action:

“Law-abiding citizens are being penalized for the atrocities committed in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio merely because they own similar rifles and standard-capacity magazines. Because of research directed by the the Centers for Disease Control, we know that guns are used 16-100 times more often to protect life than to take it. And some of these defensive gun uses include the employment of commonly owned, semi-automatic rifles. Consider these examples:

• A Houston man fired several rounds while fighting off five home invaders this year, using his AK-47 as his primary means of defense;
• A Florida man utilized his AR-15 to fire 30 rounds while fighting off seven intruders; and,
• A very petite Maryland mom chased three burglars out of her home simply by charging her AR-15

“Additionally, the City of Pittsburgh recently passed three, illegal gun-control ordinances in violation of the Pennsylvania firearms preemption law. Mayor Peduto’s call for ending statewide preemption would create a patchwork quilt of confusing laws across the Commonwealth (e.g. in Allegheny County alone there are over 130+ municipalities). Instead, Gun Owners of America calls upon all state legislators to pass SB 531 to strengthen preemption and hold rogue mayors like Bill Peduto accountable for violating the Constitutional rights of citizens.

“Red flag” gun confiscation laws violate the due process rights of gun owners. Under these bills, the police or an “angry ex” can petition a judge, requesting that someone be stripped of their Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights without the opportunity to face their accuser.  Even the ACLU branches in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have issued memos in opposition to “red flag” laws. The Rhode Island branch offered a 14-page analysis detailing “some serious due process concerns.”

“If Pennsylvania legislators want to “do” something, GOA recommends immediate passage of Representative Aaron Bernstine’s “Constitutional Carry” bill, HB 1412.  This bill expands the rights of Pennsylvanians to defend themselves from a would-be attacker without seeking government permission first.

“Finally, Mayor Peduto’s recent statements are further evidence of his contempt for state law and the Constitutions of the Commonwealth and the United States. As such, GOA is urging every PA legislator to co-sponsor Representative Daryl Metcalfe’s impeachment resolution, HR 426.”

Dr. Val Finnell, or another GOA spokesperson, is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.