Pennsylvania lawmakers have recently advanced significant new gun control measures, including a proposed ban on certain semiautomatic firearms commonly referred to as “assault weapons.” This legislative push reflects growing concern over gun violence and the proliferation of high-capacity, rapid-fire weapons in the state.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Ban
- Definition of Banned Firearms: The bill targets “assault weapons,” defined as selective-fire firearms capable of fully automatic, semiautomatic, or burst fire at the option of the user, or any firearm that can accept a large-capacity magazine. This includes pistols, rifles, and shotguns with detachable magazines and two or more specified features, such as telescoping stocks, flash suppressors, pistol grips, or magazines with capacities exceeding five rounds for shotguns.
- Specific Firearms Listed: The legislation specifically lists popular models such as the AR-15 and AK-47 types among those that would be banned.
- Attachments and Features: For rifles, banned features include telescoping stocks and flash suppressors. For shotguns, the ban applies to models with pistol grips and high-capacity magazines. For pistols, features like silencers and magazines that attach outside the grip are included in the ban.
- Exemptions: The ban would not apply to military personnel or law enforcement officers.
Other Related Measures
Alongside the semiautomatic gun ban, the package of bills advanced by the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee includes:
- Bans on 3D-printed guns, bump stocks, and ghost gun parts.
- Creation of mental health reporting guidelines to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms.
Political Context and Legislative Status
- The bills passed the House Judiciary Committee along party lines, with unanimous support from Democrats and unanimous opposition from Republicans.
- The Pennsylvania General Assembly is politically divided, with Democrats controlling the State House and Republicans controlling the State Senate, making the ultimate passage of these measures uncertain.
- Some Republican lawmakers have criticized the bill, noting that several of the listed firearms are commonly used in shooting competitions. Others have cited concerns about personal security, referencing global conflicts and immigration as reasons to maintain access to such firearms.
Comparison to Existing Laws
- Previously, Pennsylvania did not have a statewide assault weapon ban, though it did regulate certain firearm modifications and high-capacity magazines.
- The state already prohibits devices that alter trigger mechanisms to enable continuous fire, such as bump stocks, and regulates ghost guns by requiring serial numbers and background checks for key parts.
- Delaware County, for example, recently enacted a local ordinance banning ghost gun parts and machine gun conversion devices, reflecting a trend toward stricter local regulation in the absence of comprehensive statewide bans.
Enforcement and Penalties
- Under similar local ordinances, violations can result in fines or short-term imprisonment. For example, Delaware County imposes a $1,000 fine or up to 10 days in jail for each violation of its ghost gun and conversion device ban.
- If the statewide semiautomatic gun ban becomes law, enforcement would likely involve criminal penalties for possession, sale, or transfer of banned firearms and accessories.
Public Safety and Advocacy
- Supporters argue that these measures are necessary to address rising gun violence and the increasing use of untraceable or easily modified firearms in crimes.
- Law enforcement and gun safety advocates highlight the dangers posed by rapid-fire weapons and conversion devices, which can dramatically increase the lethality of shootings.
Opposition and Legal Considerations
- Opponents argue that the ban infringes on Second Amendment rights and could impact law-abiding gun owners, especially those who use semiautomatic firearms for sport or self-defense.
- Recent court decisions, including those citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, have made it more challenging for states to justify certain firearm restrictions without clear historical precedent.
Pennsylvania is moving toward stricter regulation of semiautomatic firearms, with a proposed ban on so-called assault weapons advancing in the legislature. The bill targets a broad range of semiautomatic guns and accessories, reflecting growing concern over gun violence but facing significant political and legal hurdles before it can become law.
Sources:
- https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/pennsylvania/
- https://www.findlaw.com/state/pennsylvania-law/pennsylvania-gun-control-laws.html
- https://delcopa.gov/publicrelations/releases/2025/dccgunban.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gQ83HFHpjk
- https://www.witf.org/2024/01/18/pa-house-judiciary-committee-advances-package-of-gun-laws-including-ban-on-some-firearms/
