by Jen Rehill
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. (PRCN, April 7, 2008) – The state House of Representatives has passed a bill designed to strengthen portions of state’s firearms law. But some opponents worry one provision could put victims of domestic violence at risk.
Just last week the House defeated a plan to mandate reporting of lost and stolen guns to the police.
Short of that, House Bill 1845 would create a voluntary statewide registry of such weapons, but owners would face no penalties for failing to report a missing weapon.
State Representative John Sabatina says the measure strengthens penalties for some gun crimes.
“It finds that people who are in possession of a firearm with an altered serial number right now they are charged with a misdemeanor of the first degree, this upgrades it to a felony of the second degree.”
State Representative Kathy Manderino supported the bill – but says she’s concerned about one provision that would expedite the process to get a state permit to carry a concealed weapon.
“It has long been the position of the domestic violence community that this will not give added protections, and if anything will give added risk of harm to domestic violence victims.”
Despite that issue, Manderino and all of her colleagues approved the bill unanimously.
It now goes to the state Senate.
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About PRCN's - Scott Detrow
- pubradionews
- Scott Detrow came to the Capitol from WITF-FM, where he covered Central Pennsylvania news and anchored local "All Things Considered" segments. Much of his reporting focused on the 2008 presidential primary and general election, as well as the Pennsylvania National Guard. Detrow has also covered New York City politics for WFUV-FM, earning a distinction from the New York Press Club, and won a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for a radio documentary on South Africa's AIDS pandemic in 2007. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Fordham University with degrees in political science and English.