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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Gabrielle
A. Prutisto |
State Rep. Thomas
Caltagirone |
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Caltagirone introducing bill to address illegal guns and violence
HARRISBURG, July 5 – State Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, will introduce legislation aimed at reducing the problem of illegal guns and violence in Pennsylvania.
“I have thought long and hard before introducing this legislation. I think this would be a fair and reasonable way to control the illegal guns and violence on our streets without affecting the rights of responsible and legal gun owners,” Caltagirone said. ”Something has to be done about the criminals who get people with clean police records to purchase guns for them. Those who buy guns for criminals would be likely to think twice if they faced more serious consequences.”
The legislation is expected to contain four provisions:
1.) The state Attorney General’s Office would take charge of investigating and prosecuting any violation of the state's gun law. Due to the amount of illegal gun trafficking in Pennsylvania, local police and district attorneys often lack the resources and expertise to make a big difference in the problem. Caltagirone’s legislation would provide the Attorney General’s Office with jurisdiction in that area and an additional $2 million in funding to crack down on illegal gun trafficking.
Also, the Attorney General’s Office would be responsible for inspecting gun retailers to make sure their license and recordkeeping files are in order. After three years, the new system would be evaluated to ensure its efficiency.
2.) The Joint State Government Commission would conduct a three-year study to find out the relationship between multiple handgun purchases and criminal activity. The findings would then be given to the Attorney General’s Office.
3.) Anyone purchasing a handgun in Pennsylvania would receive notice that:
· The purchaser could not lend or give the handgun to anyone else. The punishment for doing so would be five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
· To sell the handgun, the owner would have to do so through a licensed dealer or a sheriff’s office. The punishment for violating that provision would be two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
· If the owner gave or sold the handgun to someone who could not legally possess it, the punishment for the seller would be seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
4.) Receiving a stolen firearm would become a second-degree felony for any person who is convicted of the offense. Currently, those who are not repeat offenders when it comes to that crime are typically allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor. A second-degree felony carries a prison term of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
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