Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State Legislators Again Put Local Gun Laws In Crosshairs

Matt Nemeth
/
90.5 WESA

  Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving closer to re-enacting legislation that would let the National Rifle Association and similar groups challenge local gun regulations that are more restrictive than state law.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 21 to 6 Tuesday for a bill that's nearly identical to a version thrown out by Commonwealth Court last year, a decision upheld by the state Supreme Court in June.

The proposal gives standing to membership organizations to file challenges to local gun ordinances.

The previous law was invalidated because it was deemed to violate a ban in the state constitution on bundling unrelated topics in a single bill.

The new version adds a provision requiring 30 days' notice before a lawsuit is filed, in case municipalities want to repeal their ordinances to avoid litigation.