PA lawmakers considering bill that would allow people, groups from out of state to sue over gun laws

PITTSBURGH — Gun violence has hit headlines across the city this year.  While some groups are trying to tackle new gun safety measures, others are doing the opposite.

Right now, Senate Bill 448 is being discussed in Harrisburg.  The bill is in direct reaction to local officials starting conversations about making communities safer through gun violence prevention policies.

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If the bill becomes law, it will allow any organization in the state or out of the state to sue those municipalities for enacting firearm laws.

On the one side, the bill’s co-sponsors tell Channel 11 it’s about not restricting people’s right to bear arms. One senator said that criminals aren’t following laws anyway so why would they follow gun laws?

“For those individuals who are really afraid and want to protect themselves and defend themselves. They need to be able to do that no matter where they are. That’s an important aspect too,” said Senator Camera Bartolotta.

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But CeaseFire PA feels differently.  The group is hoping to educate Pennsylvanians that this bill could further prevent any local official from working to cut down on gun violence in their community.

“If you talk to local officials they will tell you that the threat of a lawsuit is something they take seriously. Especially the small municipalities here in Western PA they don’t have the budgets to cover legal fees. Just the threat of a lawsuit could stop any kind of action in terms of making local policy to combat gun violence,” said Josh Fleitman with CeaseFire PA.

The bill did pass committee on Tuesday and could head to the Senate floor in the coming weeks.

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