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Gun Debate Revives In Pennsylvania Statehouse

Matt Rourke
/
AP

The debate over guns is reviving in Pennsylvania's Legislature, although Democrats say the process ignores their top priorities and could end up loosening gun laws.

Tuesday marked the start of a two-day Senate committee hearing on gun violence and a slate of House committee votes on gun-related legislation.

The action follows a burst of gun violence in Philadelphia and the wounding of six city police officers in a standoff. Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled Legislature is historically protective of gun rights.

The House committee unanimously advanced legislation to more swiftly take away guns from someone who was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment.

Another bill it advanced would make it harder and more expensive for municipalities to defend their firearms ordinances against lawsuits, although that's likely to draw Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's veto.