Gov. Tom Wolf speaking Monday with state police officials at his side.
Credit: PA Internet News Service
Inside the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Gov. Tom Wolf Monday urged lawmakers to pass several gun law reforms.
The Democratic governor called for universal background checks and closure of the so-called “gun show exception.” He said the measures he was supporting were “common sense gun safety legislation.”
“All of Pennsylvania’s citizens have the right to live happy, healthy lives free from fear about their and their family’s personal safety,” Wolf said. “Unfortunately, in the past decades we have seen that sense of security, that sense of safety, threatened. I am calling on the legislature to take up additional common sense gun reform bills that will help us close dangerous loopholes and keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to Pennsylvania’s citizens.”
The governor asked lawmakers to move forward legislation that would expand background checks on firearms and scrap the exception for semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and sporting rifles that are sold at gun shows. He also called for an end to an exception for firearm transfers within families.
Wolf said everyone who purchases a firearm to undergo a state police background check make sure they stay away from dangerous people who are not allowed to possess a firearm.
“In the commonwealth, a firearms transaction between two private parties does not require a background check if the firearm falls within certain criteria (these firearms are commonly referred to as long guns),” Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. Evanchick said. “It is this void in the current law we are in support of changing. The Pennsylvania State Police encourages closing this void in the current law and requests that all firearm purchases and or transfer of ownership require a universal background check.”
The governor also pushed for the state House of Representatives to quickly pass Senate Bill 501. The bill would prevent domestic abusers with protection from abuse orders from owning or possessing firearms.
Wolf said the state police are known nationally for their background check system and its use should be expanded for every gun purchase.
While the governor has called the changes he supports “common sense,” the Republican-controlled state legislature has been slow to enact gun regulations and has not made expanding background checks a top priority.
