Three state legislators are proposing new gun control regulations, including a ban on assault weapons in Pennsylvania. The proponents say it is not their intention of taking away anyone’s gun.
This is among the first legislative packages to be introduced in the wake of the shooting deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Obviously controversial, no one is predicting whether any of the five bills will pass the House of Representatives, clear the Senate and reach the Governor's desk.
Three house members announced their plan at a Capitol Hill news conference. All are Democrats, two from the Philadelphia area and one from Pittsburgh.
The legislation would prohibit possession of assault weapons in the Pennsylvania. Law enforcement and military personnel would be exempt.
An amendment to the Castle Doctrine would outlaw the use of force if the person is able to retreat or is instructed by police not to pursue the suspect.
A proposed child firearm safety lock act would require guns to be equipped with locking devices in certain situations. Another bill would establish a minimum two year prison term for persons convicted of carrying a firearm without a license.
Those who carry a firearm would have to get liability insurance. Neighborhood watch groups would have to register with the state to be immune from civil liability.
15-year house veteran Dan Frankel is one of the sponsors of the package.
“I got to tell you when I listen to my gun lobby friends and some of their supporters in the Legislature talking about taking their rights to Second Amendment, I believe that with rights come responsibilities,” stated Frankel. “And these laws accentuate those responsibilities."
Frankel says the gun lobby would have you believe you can't do anything about the escalating problem of gun violence, that criminals will always have the guns. But he believes there are ways to strengthen gun laws that will give police tools to enforce the laws and crackdown of the criminal element.
This is among the first legislative packages to be introduced in the wake of the shooting deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Obviously controversial, no one is predicting whether any of the five bills will pass the House of Representatives, clear the Senate and reach the Governor's desk.
Three house members announced their plan at a Capitol Hill news conference. All are Democrats, two from the Philadelphia area and one from Pittsburgh.
The legislation would prohibit possession of assault weapons in the Pennsylvania. Law enforcement and military personnel would be exempt.
An amendment to the Castle Doctrine would outlaw the use of force if the person is able to retreat or is instructed by police not to pursue the suspect.
A proposed child firearm safety lock act would require guns to be equipped with locking devices in certain situations. Another bill would establish a minimum two year prison term for persons convicted of carrying a firearm without a license.
Those who carry a firearm would have to get liability insurance. Neighborhood watch groups would have to register with the state to be immune from civil liability.
15-year house veteran Dan Frankel is one of the sponsors of the package.
“I got to tell you when I listen to my gun lobby friends and some of their supporters in the Legislature talking about taking their rights to Second Amendment, I believe that with rights come responsibilities,” stated Frankel. “And these laws accentuate those responsibilities."
Frankel says the gun lobby would have you believe you can't do anything about the escalating problem of gun violence, that criminals will always have the guns. But he believes there are ways to strengthen gun laws that will give police tools to enforce the laws and crackdown of the criminal element.