FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Victoria Stanish House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Fax: 717-783-6839 Email: vstanish@pahouse.net	State Rep. John Sabatina D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/sabatina

Sabatina legislation would strengthen penalty for carrying guns with altered serial numbers

HARRISBURG, June 19 – State Rep. John Sabatina, D-Phila., plans to introduce legislation that would strengthen the penalty for possessing a firearm with an altered serial number.

Currently, altering or removing a firearm’s serial number is a second-degree felony, which carries a maximum allowable fine of $25,000 and up to 10 years in prison. However, it’s only a first-degree misdemeanor to possess a gun with an altered serial number. Sabatina’s bill would make possessing an altered gun a second-degree felony, as well.

“This legislation would address the breakdown that occurs in the legal system when someone is caught with an altered weapon. Because of the discrepancy in the current law, it’s hard for prosecutors to follow all the way through with a conviction,” Sabatina said.

“Guns with untraceable numbers are being used in both rural and urban areas to commit burglaries, murders and other criminal acts,” he said. “It’s important to bring the law into conformity so that police and other law enforcement personnel can make a case that sticks and puts perpetrators behind bars.”

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