Senate passes bill prohibiting local firearm regulations

State legislators are concerned about Second Amendment rights so much so that the Senate has passed a bill that would prohibit local regulation of firearms or ammunition.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, announced Friday that the senate passed House Bill 80 by a vote of 34 to 14 on Thursday.

State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, said he supports the bill that would put a stop to local laws or ordinances attempting to regulate firearms or ammunition.

Now the bill is in the hands of the state House of Representatives following Thursdays vote.

I think its very much needed, Causer said, who was a co-sponsor of the original House Bill.

Causer said the measure promotes uniformity in regards to firearms across Pennsylvania. People traveling throughout the state would not have to worry about local gun laws being different.

Scarnati says the legislation would protect Pennsylvanians Second Amendment rights.

This legislation is a commonsense measure to not change, but simply clarify current law, Scarnati said. Senate Bill 80 clarifies existing law to ensure that firearms and ammunition laws are consistent across Pennsylvania.

There has never been such an issue across the region, Causer said, but he sees a problem in southern Pennsylvania, especially Philadelphia.

Causer said the bill would let an individual or organization sue to block or overturn a local ordinance. If successful, the individual would be able to recoup expenses, including attorney fees, costs, and lost income from employment, according to Scarnati.

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Senate passes bill prohibiting local firearm regulations