Stop the NRA's Sneak Attack
This isn't the first time legislators have tried to pull the wool over our eyes, and it probably won't be the last. Make sure members of the Judiciary committee, and your own legislators, know that you oppose this amendment and are disgusted with underhanded tactics like this one.
They're trying to undermine all our hard work.
30 municipalities across Pennsylvania have worked closely with law enforcement to craft local ordinances that require gun owners to notify police when they discover their gun has been lost or stolen. It's common sense, but they had to take local action because legislators in Harrisburg refused to pass a statewide law, even though police said it would help crack down on illegal gun trafficking and straw purchasers.
Why? Because the NRA said so.
The NRA has tried to beat these local laws in Pennsylvania courts six times, and each time the Judge has allowed the law the stand, including the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Judge Bonnie Leadbetter even said that she was "unconvinced that the ordinance burdens the right [to bear arms].”
So now the NRA is trying to rewrite the rules so they can win.
If the NRA gets their way, they'll be able to sue cities in court, even though nobody's rights have been violated. They'll be able to blackmail cities that are trying to keep their residents safe, and force them to take back popular, smart reforms just to avoid the risk of costly, frivolous lawsuits. Otherwise they'd have to put taxpayer dollars right into NRA lawyer bank accounts.
In the House it is HB1523, in the Senate it is SB1438 - now there is an amendment: A11039.
This is a bad proposal, but don't take our word for it. Mayors, police, and newspapers around the state are speaking up against the proposal:
PHILADELPHIA - "Legislators want it both ways: they refuse to protect citizens, but they'll be damned if they allow cities to do it for them."
PITTSBURGH - "Evidence that the state Legisalture is a wholly owned subsidiary of the NRA comes in many forms. The latest is HB 1523... Will any legislators stand up to this favor being done for the NRA?"
SCRANTON - "This is a simple case of lawmakers shilling for a very narrow interest. A majority of law makers should arise to speak instead for public safety."
LANCASTER - "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the hand of the NRA behind HB 1523. If lawmakers truly want to eliminate this "hodgepodge" of gun laws, all they have to do is pass the statewide reporting ordinance."
