In June 2019, six people were shot and one was killed in a shooting at a graduation party in a park in Philadelphia. Without state action allowing for local regulation of firearms on city parks, this has remained a feature of life in Pennsylvania. In 2022, a Pennsylvanian was killed and two others were injured at a shooting at a park in Reading, a 41-year-old mother was shot outside the Philadelphia City Recreation Center, and a 14-year-old was killed and others injured in a shooting outside a Philadelphia high school.
Shootings on local government property contribute to the 1,574 Pennsylvanians killed on average each year in gun violence. Nevertheless, local governments are powerless to act. Although Philadelphia responded quickly with a ban on firearms in the city’s indoor and outdoor recreation spaces after the first such shooting in 2022, state law blocked the rule from taking effect.
For this reason, I am putting forward legislation to return the power to regulate firearms on local government property from Harrisburg politicians to local governments. My legislation would allow political subdivisions to regulate the possession and transportation of firearms when carried or transported on public grounds, including but not limited to buildings, parks, and conveyances or vehicles. The bill would not only keep our constituents safe but would also provide peace of mind for government employees working in these buildings and parks, and driving government vehicles.
Please join me in empowering local governments to better protect our communities from gun violence.
Statutes/Laws affected: Printer's No. 0928: 18-6120(a)