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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Victoria L. Stanish |
State Rep. Jesse White |
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White bill would make sure law-abiding citizens can purchase guns
HARRISBURG, March 28 – State Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, is introducing legislation to protect the constitutional rights of gun owners.
The legislation would solve problems that occur when a person is denied the right to buy or own a gun based on the standard instant records check. Currently, people denied the purchase of a firearm have to prove they are eligible by appearing before a judge and requesting up-to-date records, and are responsible for any costs incurred in the process.
White said his bill would shift the burden from the applicant to the courts to prove ineligibility.
“Right now, when people get red-flagged during the instant-records check, they end up having to petition county court for proof that they haven’t been convicted of a crime that prohibits them from owning a gun,” White said. “It’s a costly and outdated process that we need to change to ensure that law-abiding citizens don’t have to pay to protect their constitutional rights.”
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