PA Lawmakers, Activists Debate New Type Of Gun Control Law

A rally was held in Harrisburg Monday as state lawmakers consider passing some form of extreme risk protection order legislation in Pennsylvania.

The legislation, introduced in its first form in the state nearly a year ago by Montgomery County's State Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151), aims to keep weapons away from individuals who have been identified as a threat to themselves or to others.

During Monday's rally, Gov. Wolf touted the recent passage of House Bill 02060, a law which allows a court to take weapons away from domestic abusers in the case of protection from abuse orders, as evidence of bipartisan support for this type of legislation.

"Even though we’ve had this recent success, it’s not time to let up just yet," Wolf said at the rally. "We need to continue to push for commonsense measures like universal background checks until we end gun violence in our commonwealth."

That law goes into effect Wednesday.

Wolf was joined at the rally Monday by representatives from Moms Demand Action, a pro-gun control organization. They're hopeful that much broader extreme risk legislation can be passed in Pennsylvania.

Extreme risk allows a court to issue an emergency order when a person has been deemed a danger to themselves or others. The person in question is brought in for a hearing, allowing them to offer testimony before any final decision regarding their fitness to carry firearms is made. The goal is for law enforcement to recognize the early warning signs of violence before they occur, and to utilize this new legislative infrastructure to prevent tragedies.

The discussion over extreme risk orders drew increased attention after a 34-year-old Devon man shot and killed the mother of his child with an AR-15 at a Main Line Wawa.

Backers of the new legislation are hopeful it empowers family members or friends of potential perpretrators to say something when they begin to notice early warning signs.

"Families do know first when something is wrong," Shira Goodman, the director of Cease Fire PA, said on Monday.

It also serves as an alternative to an involuntary committment — which some detractors of the bill say should be enough.

Detractors are also concerned over government overreach, and cite its potential to compromise the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Two pieces of legislation which would bring a broader extreme risk law to the state are currently pending: House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 90. Currently 14 states, along with Washington D.C., have some form of the law.