Pennsylvania state House lawmakers failed to pass two out of three gun safety bills by narrow margins as Bucks County Representatives split their votes largely down party lines.
“While we are grateful that lawmakers passed a bill to expand background checks, [Tuesday’s] vote is a stark reminder that much more work remains to keep Pennsylvanians safe,” said Maura Condon Umble, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “The failure to pass laws prohibiting ghost guns and establishing an Extreme Risk law leaves dangerous loopholes open, putting our children at risk. These commonsense measures could prevent tragedies. It’s time for Senate lawmakers to act, pass HB 1593, and work with us to end this crisis.”
House Bill 1099 would amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to ban the use and distribution of ghost guns, or homemade firearms made from unserialized kits or individual parts not requiring a background check. The bill defines possessing, manufacturing, importing, selling, and moving a firearm “constructed entirely of a nonmetal substance,” or a firearm without one major component made of a metal substance, as unlawful.
The bill includes firearms in which the major components are not detectable to walk-through metal detectors or generate inaccurate images on security screening devices. An offense under the bill, introduced by state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-192), would constitute a third-degree felony.
HB 1099 failed to pass on a 101-102 vote.
Bucks County Representatives who voted “yae”:
- Tim Brennan (D-29)
- Perry Warren (D-31)
- Jim Prokopiak (D-140)
- Tina Davis (D-141)
- Brian Munroe (D-144)
Bucks County Representatives who voted “nay”:
- Kathleen Tomlinson (R-18)
- Joe Hogan (R-142)
- Shelby Labs (R-143)
- Craig Staats (R-145)
- Kristen Marcell (R-178)
HB 1859, introduced by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-165), would establish an Extreme Risk Law allowing law enforcement officers and family members to seize firearms from individuals in crisis. Individuals subject to the Extreme Risk Protection, who do not relinquish their firearms, would commit a second-degree misdemeanor.
HB 1859 failed to pass on a 101-102 vote.
Bucks County Representatives who voted “yae”:
- Tim Brennan (D-29)
- Perry Warren (D-31)
- Jim Prokopiak (D-140)
- Tina Davis (D-141)
- Brian Munroe (D-144)
Bucks County Representatives who voted “nay”:
- Kathleen Tomlinson (R-18)
- Joe Hogan (R-142)
- Shelby Labs (R-143)
- Craig Staats (R-145)
- Kristen Marcell (R-178)
HB 1593, introduced by state Rep. Perry Warren (D-31), requires background checks related to the sale or transfer of all firearms, regardless of barrel length. Under previous provisions, firearms with longer barrels are not subject to background checks.
HB 1593 passed on 104-99 vote.
Bucks County Representatives who voted “yea”:
- Tim Brennan (D-29)
- Perry Warren (D-31)
- Jim Prokopiak (D-140)
- Tina Davis (D-141)
- Brian Munroe (D-144)
- Kathleen Tomlinson (R-18)
- Joe Hogan (R-142)
- Kristen Marcell (R-178
Bucks County Representatives who voted “nay”:
- Shelby Labs (R-143)
- Craig Staats (R-145)
