Politics & Government
Montco Republican's Gun Bill Passes Through House Committee
The bill, which would allow courts to take weapons from dangerous individuals in extreme situations, will now be voted on by the full House.
A Montgomery County Republican's proposed gun safety legislation has been approved by the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, and will now move forward to be voted on by the full House.
House Bill 2227, proposed by State Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151), would allow courts to issue something called an Extreme Risk Protective Order to prevent at-risk individuals from obtaining weapons. Supporters are hopeful the measure would allow law enforcement and families to assist individuals who might pose a threat to themselves and others - before a tragedy occurs.
The judiciary committee voted 18-9 to move forward with the amended. bill.
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"The bottom line is we must create a way for family members or law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms or ammunition, and to relinquish any firearms or ammunition they may currently have, to prevent them from doing harm," Stephens said in a statement last month.
The bill has gained national attention and praise from both side of the aisle.
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The bill received endorsements from numerous leading gun reform organizations across the nation, including Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence, CeaseFire PA, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Everytown for Gun Safety, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, and the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association.
Under the bill, the court could issue the order, and then would immediately hold a hearing for the person in question, allowing them to offer testimony before any final decision is made by the judge. In addition, final orders to take away weapons would not be permitted to last more than a year.
Similar bills have been proposed in state legislatures around the country, including New York (already approved in the House), Massachusetts, and Colorado.
Stephens introduced his bill shortly after the mass shooting tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida in February, which left 17 dead.
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