The Pennsylvania Senate took significant steps toward expanding firearm rights on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, advancing two key pieces of legislation. The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Lisa Baker, voted 9-5 to advance Senate Bill 357, commonly referred to as "Constitutional Carry." This bill would allow law-abiding citizens who are legally permitted to own a firearm to carry it concealed without a government-issued permit. The legislation also maintains an optional licensing system to ensure reciprocity for Pennsylvanians traveling to other states and streamlines the permitting process by reducing the investigation period from 45 to 14 days.
In a separate move the same day, the full Senate passed Senate Bill 822 with a 30-20 vote. This bill is designed to bolster Pennsylvania’s firearm preemption laws, reaffirming that the General Assembly holds exclusive authority over gun and ammunition regulations. The goal of Senate Bill 822 is to eliminate the "patchwork" of local ordinances that vary by municipality, which proponents argue can turn law-abiding citizens into accidental violators. Additionally, the bill provides a legal pathway for individuals and organizations to challenge local restrictions and recover legal fees if those ordinances are found to violate state law.
