PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A bill that would allow any law-abiding gun owner to carry a concealed handgun without a permit has moved forward in the Pennsylvania State House.
Supporters of House Bill 659 call it "constitutional carry," as they say the the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution makes any concealed carry permit requirement redundant.
"This is not going to affect non-law abiding citizens, because, to be blunt with you, they just don’t care about the law anyway," western Pa. Republican Aaron Bernstine, the bill's sponsor, said.
"We know that people that are going to break the law are going to break the law, and we ought not to be putting more restrictions on those that are attempting to do the right things."
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However, Philadelphia Democrat Joe Hohenstine says it's important to remember that people in different parts of the state have different views on guns. He explains the situation in his part of Philadelphia.
"The folks in my neighborhoods view those guns in a different way that isn’t necessarily reflective of having a gun equaling more security," he said.
In addition to allowing someone to carry a concealed handgun, the bill would also a loaded handgun to be in a car without a permit.
Southeastern Pa. lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee questioned the legislation, noting the bill is opposed by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, and anti-gun violence groups.
"We can have a right that is protected but that is also protected in a way that is responsible and respectful to others' rights," Hohenstine said.
Supporters say it isn’t much of a change, since unlike other states, Pennsylvania does not require any firearms training to get a permit to carry.
The bill now moves from committee to the full House for further consideration.