PA: Breaking! Legislature Adjourns Leaving Pro-Gun Bills Hanging
Gun Owners Must Reengage in September
The Pennsylvania General Assembly adjourned a week early after passing the budget on Friday, June 25th. Unfortunately, they left for summer break, leaving unfinished business for gun owners.
So, where do we stand at the end of June 2021? Here is a quick summary.
Constitutional Carry
- HB 659 (Bernstine) – Reported from the House Judiciary Committee at the end of May and stalled on the House floor in June by the Republican leadership.
- SB 565 (Dush) – Reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee a day before the summer adjournment. It’s now on the Senate floor.
Strengthen Preemption
- HB 979 (Dowling) – Passed the House and is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Right to Bear Arms Protection Act
- SB 624 (Mastriano) – The bill now has 21 co-sponsors but is still in the Senate State Government Committee awaiting action.
No anti-gun bills showed any signs of movement and that’s a good thing!
As of today, the Senate will reconvene on September 20th and the House on September 27th. When they do, we need to be ready to push all of these bills and get a recorded vote.
With the budget completed and COVID mostly behind us, there is no excuse for the House and Senate leadership to continue delaying pro-gun legislation.
I want to thank you profusely for all of the work you’ve done since January. Gun owners are finally getting traction due to your efforts in emailing and calling your representatives and senators.
Look for a forthcoming alert later this summer about our September action plan.