Lost or Stolen Handgun Reporting
THE BOTTOM LINE: If a person discovers that his or her firearm has been lost or stolen, he or she should report it missing to the police within a reasonable period of time. Lost or stolen handgun reporting is a reform designed to crack down on straw-purchasers -- people who buy guns, and then sell them illegally to people who can't buy them on their own. It's commonsense. If you car was stolen, you'd report it missing - wouldn't you?
THE FACTS: Most people in Pennsylvania already think that it's the law to report missing firearms. But you might be surprised to learn that there is no statewide lost or stolen handgun reporting requirement, even though statistics show that more guns used in crimes come from states that don’t require missing handguns to be reported to the police.
Most guns used in crimes were once bought legally, and then through theft, straw purchasing, or trafficking, make their way into the hands of criminals. By requiring missing handguns to be reported, police can begin looking for a lost or stolen handgun before it winds up at the scene of a crime.
Even though citizens overwhelmingly support requiring lost or stolen firearms be reported missing to the police, our state has refused to seriously consider this commonsense reform. In the absence of action by the state, dozens of communities across Pennsylvania have taken matters into their own hands by adopting the reform as local law, or passing a resolution demanding the state address this issue.
STAND WITH US: Almost every major city has taken action, along with dozens of towns and municipalities. If you don't see your town on the list below, please get in touch with us to find out how you can help us work with your city council and mayor to take action right away.
If your town has already taken action, email your local legislator and make sure that he or she knows that passing lost or stolen is a priority to you and your family.
| Philadelphia | Oxford | Wilson | Bridgeport |
| Pittsburgh | Munhall | Plymouth Township | Ambler |
| Allentown | Braddock | Whitemarsh Township | Radnor Township |
| Pottsville | Castle Shannon | Jenkintown | Baldwin |
| Reading | Aliquippa | Cheltenham | Upper Merion Township |
|
Harrisburg |
West Mifflin | Chester | Whitaker |
| Lancaster | Hatfield Township | Easton | Catasauqua |
| Wilkinsburg | Norristown | York | Sharon Hill |
| Erie | Duquesne | Heidelberg | Charleroi |
| Homestead | Glassport | Lincoln | Brentwood |
| West Homestead | Liberty | Swarthmore | Abington Township |
| Clairton | Conshohocken | West Conshohocken |
West Chester |
