PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Monday was the third time Pennsylvania Democrats have pushed for gun safety legislation, and the third time Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have blocked it.
The most recent bill would have implemented background checks for the purchase of long guns in Pennsylvania.
“We can actually get guns out of the hands of people who should not and cannot be trusted to have firearms,” said Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny). “Because they are a danger to themselves or to others based on our laws, based on court orders.”
Committee chairman Rob Kaufman (R-Franklin) pointed to the state’s Constitution.
“The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves in this state shall not be questioned,” he said.
However, for the second time, rather than debate the merits of the bill, Republicans on the committee used their majority to push through an amendment that stripped out all the language in the bill. They then replaced it with permitless carry language.
That amendment passed 14-11, effectively killing the bill.
Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) was the lone Republican to speak up in support of background checks.
“To me, not having background checks for all firearms is akin to really turning a blind eye towards the other laws that we have in place,” said Stephens.
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Meanwhile, the committee advanced a resolution that would create a select investigative committee with subpoena powers to investigate Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
That resolution comes from Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) who said it’s the job of a district attorney to enforce the laws passed by the state Legislature.
“It is not his obligation or duty to pick and choose which laws that we have passed that he is going to enforce,” said Kail.
On the other side, Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) didn’t hide his frustration, calling the resolution “political theater” that avoids addressing the real issues.
“There’s this old- fashioned value I like to bring up in moments like this called local control,” said Rabb. “Somehow, that doesn't apply when we talk about Black folk, I guess. Well, we can't handle our own business. So we're going to bring these good folks who are closer to Cleveland, than to Philadelphia, to help us out in our lawlessness.”
Other Democrats call the special committee a waste of tax-payer money, adding the results of the investigation appear to be predetermined.
The resolution passed 15-10 on a party line and now heads to the full House.
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