YARDLEY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A group of state lawmakers from Southeastern Pennsylvania is pushing legislation that would ban high-powered military-style rifles in the state.
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Doylestown, was joined by three other Democratic state senators from the Philadelphia region in announcing the introduction of new firearms legislation.
It would ban the types of guns used in the 2016 Pulse night club mass shooting in Orlando, a similar shooting on the Las Vegas Strip in 2017, the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue attack in Pittsburgh, last month’s killing of 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, and the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas 10 days later where 21 people were killed.
“We stand up with a single voice and say, ‘Enough. Enough.’ No one needs to have a military-style assault weapon. They just don’t,” said Santarsiero.
Santarsiero’s bill in the Pennsylvania State Legislature would block the sale of 150 gun models that would be classified as assault weapons, and would ban magazines with more than a 10-round capacity. Anyone who currently owns such a weapon would have to register it.
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It would also block the transfer of those weapons from a current owner to someone else, but would allow for a buyback program so the weapon could be destroyed.
“We have to get the public mobilized on this. There has to be such outrage among ordinary people that this is the issue they vote on,” Santarsiero said about the attempt to move the bill in the Republican-majority Senate.
“I'm sure the gun lobby will find this unacceptable. I really don't care. Because each and every one of us as citizens, when we are working together and in concert, have more strength and power than they do.”
Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Norristown, said there are existing limits on other constitutional amendments to protect the greater good.
“Why not the Second Amendment? Because when assault weapons are used in a mass shooting, six times as many people are shot,” she said.
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Sen. John Kane, D-Chester, said there are 19 bills aimed at addressing gun violence stuck in committee in the state Legislature, all blocked by the Republican majority.
“To my colleagues who have disagreed in the past, it’s not too late,” said Kane. “I promise you that all of us up here just want a safer world.”
Santarsiero said polls show the public support safer gun laws. He said it’s up to the public to express their opinion on the issue.
“Each and every one of us needs to take ownership of this issue,” he said. “Not just those of us who are elected officials. We need to lead, yes. But each and every one of you needs to be part of this solution by making your voice heard.”