House Judiciary Committee schedules four hearings on gun safety and reform.
The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled four hearings in April to explore legislation to help stem gun violence and mass shootings is scheduled next month, PA SAFE Caucus leaders announced Wednesday.
“It has become acutely apparent that measures need to be taken to prevent these situations from happening in the future,” said Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), Majority Chair of the Committee, in a letter inviting members to the hearings.
The announcement follows a statewide push by the PA SAFE Caucus to funnel Pennsylvanians’ calls for reform to state Capitol leadership in the wake of mass shootings across the country.
“This is one of the most important safety issues we face, and I am pleased that the Judiciary chair has recognized the need to address gun violence,” said PA SAFE Caucus Co-chairwoman Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery). “The students in Parkland are leading the fight for real reforms; it is now up to us to listen and make sure these hearings lead to meaningful passage of legislation that will save lives.”
“We look forward to a robust, honest and fair discussion about the specific actions we will take to turn the tide against gun violence and deliver on our promise as elected officials to keep Pennsylvanians safe,” said PA SAFE Caucus Co-chairman Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny).
The hearings will be held April 9, 10, 11 and 12.
For more information, visit the PA SAFE Caucus webpage.
From Crisci Associates PA Capitol Digest
Assault weapons ban to be part of House open committee meetings.
As public polling for an assault weapons ban sits at 2-1 in favor, two bills on the controversial class of firearm could be topics of conversation at open House Judiciary Committee meetings planned for early April.
The most recent of the bills on the topic, Rep. Curtis Thomas’ (D-Philadelphia) HB 2120 to add age restrictions for assault weapons sales, was introduced on March 2. It would ban the sale or transfer of assault weapons to anyone under the age of 21.
Listing a litany of weapon producers and designs, including semi-automatic weapons with foldable stocks, flash suppressors or bayonet mounts, Thomas said the bill was designed to cut down the accessibility of the weapons to young people.
“We should not be able to sell AR-15s and assault weapons to kids,” Thomas said. “That should be left for adults.”
Currently, 18 is the minimum age to purchase any firearm in Pennsylvania.
Thomas’ is not the only bill currently introduced on assault weapons in the House. In January 2017, Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) introduced his own bill – HB 194.
The bill, which has over 20 Democratic co-sponsors, including Thomas, would outright ban the sale or possession of any new assault weapons except for military or law enforcement members. The bill grandfathers private citizens who currently possess one of the mentioned firearms.
To Jeff Dempsey, program director at the anti-gun violence advocacy group CeaseFire Pa, the two bills are indicative of a rising trend of awareness and support for action on guns.
“There’s a public awakening to talk about this,” he said.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll from February, Americans support stricter gun control laws, 66 percent to 31 percent. The poll found a similar split in support for an assault weapons ban.
Thomas’s and Gainey’s bills were both referred to the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin).
In a release Tuesday, the veteran House lawmaker said he planned to hold open committee meetings for any House member to come and opine on public safety legislation like an assault weapons ban.
“This topic is too important to exclude any member’s point of view, and I would hope all of the members of the House will be able to participate,” Marsico said in the release. “We are looking at this as a way to build bipartisan consensus for an effective legislative strategy to keep Pennsylvania students and residents safe.”
Stephen Caruso is a staff writer for The PLS Reporter, a Harrisburg-based nonpartisan news website devoted to covering Pennsylvania government and politics.
Session Schedule
Senate
March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
April 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30
May 1, 2, 21, 22, 23
June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
House
March 12, 13, 14
April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 30
May 1, 2, 22, 23
June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
(Source: Crisci Associates PA Capitol Digest)
The Weeks Ahead
March 13– Special Election to fill Congressman Murphy’s seat in Western PA.
March 14– NEW. House Professional Licensure Committee meets to consider House Bill 1343 (Readshaw-D-Allegheny) amending the Bureau of Professional and Occupations Affairs Act related to carryover of continuing education credits (sponsor summary). Room G-50 Irvis Building. 9:30.
March 19– NEW. Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice hold a joint hearing to discuss criminal justice issues. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. 9:30.
March 26– NEW. Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice hold a joint hearing to discuss criminal justice issues. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. 9:30.
April 9– NEW. House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing to discuss public safety legislation. Room 140 Main Capitol. 11:00.
April 10– NEW. House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing to discuss public safety legislation. Room 140 Main Capitol. 10:00.
April 11– NEW. House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing to discuss public safety legislation. Room 140 Main Capitol. 10:00.
April 12– NEW. House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing to discuss public safety legislation. Location/Time To Be Determined.
May 15– Pennsylvania Primary Election
May 15– Special House Elections to fill two House vacancies in Allegheny/Washington and Bucks counties. Rep. Brandon Neuman (D-Washington) and Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks) resigned December 31 to take other jobs.
(Source: Crisci Associates PA Capitol Digest)
SENATOR STEWART GREENLEAF’S MINI HEARINGS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES SET FOR MARCH 19 AND MARCH 26
Criminal Justice Section Executive Committee meets March 14, 12:30 p.m., 10th Floor Board Room, 1101 Market Street.
Beware the Ides of March.
Julius Caesar died in 44 B.C.
Criminal Justice Section 
Written by Aaron Finestone
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