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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
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Caltagirone’s bill addressing illegal guns and violence moved out of committee
HARRISBURG, Oct. 31– State Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, said today that legislation (H.B. 1744) he introduced aimed at reducing illegal guns and violence in Pennsylvania was approved by the House Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 25-3.
“This legislation is 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. “It is our hope that people with clean police records will be more likely to think twice before purchasing guns on behalf of criminals if they face more serious consequences.”
The legislation contains four provisions:
1.) It would give the Attorney General’s Office the authority to create gun violence task forces in cooperation with local district attorneys to combat gun trafficking. The legislation would provide an additional $3 million in funding to create those task forces. Due to the amount of illegal gun trafficking in Pennsylvania, local police and district attorneys often lack the resources and expertise to make a noticeable difference in the problem.
2.) It would require the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a three-year study of the relationship between multiple handgun purchases and criminal activity. The findings would be given to the General Assembly and to the state attorney general for law enforcement purposes.
3.) It would require anyone purchasing a handgun in Pennsylvania to be given notice that the handgun could not be lent or given to anyone else; that the purchase must be made through a licensed dealer or sheriff’s office; that the gun could not be sold to a person who legally may not possess it; and that the punishment for violations would be up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
4.) It would make receiving a stolen firearm a second-degree felony, even for a first offense. Currently, people facing a first offense on that charge 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.
The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
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CONTACT: Gabrielle A. Prutisto |