HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — With Democrats in control of the Pennsylvania State House for the first time in a decade, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on gun violence.
Chairman Montgomery County Democrat Tim Briggs noted that, for the past several years, the Republican majority in the committee either gutted or blocked any gun safety legislation from getting to the floor.
The room was packed with anti-violence advocates and gun violence survivors.
“I think it’s critical for lawmakers to look into the eyes of the people and children most impacted by their actions or inactions. The legislature has stood by watching death after death, shooting after shooting, with no action. Today, that changes,” Briggs said.
York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow testified to the need for stronger laws focused on reporting a lost or stolen firearm.
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North-Central Pennsylvania Republican David Rowe asked what other parts of the judicial system require some kind of reporting for the victim and wondered if mandatory reporting laws would unintentionally punish the wrong person.
“The law of unintended consequences really kicks in here where, you know, we penalize a rape victim for not having the ability to come to terms with exposing their rapist. And I mean, of course, we wouldn't.”
Western Pennsylvania Democrat Emily Kinkead stepped in.
“I have to express some concern and, honestly, disgust with the equivalency that was just made between rape victims and people who do not report lost and stolen firearms,” Kinkead said.
Muldrow said it’s not about victimizing the person whose home was burglarized. He said laws should encourage better chain of custody, and discourage someone from allowing their gun to be used in a crime, knowing they could later say it was stolen.
“It’s the flippant nature that goes into it for so many people, because they’re literally looking to put the gun back on the street or looking to help somebody out, or help a buddy out,” Muldrow said.
In addition to reporting laws, other recommendations included safe storage and better mental health treatment.