Posted: | January 8, 2015 11:41 AM |
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From: | Senator Art Haywood |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Uniform Firearms Act – Homicide/Assault of Law Enforcement Officer |
In the near future, I will be reintroducing SB 662 of the 2013-14 legislative session. This legislation amends the Uniform Firearms Act to expand the list of criminal convictions that disqualify a person from possessing, using, manufacturing, controlling, selling or transferring a firearm to include criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer (18 Pa.C.S. §2507) and assault of a law enforcement officer (18 Pa.C.S. §2702.1). In addition, any adult or juvenile who has been convicted of attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit either crime would also be disqualified. Criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer (18 Pa.C.S. §2507) and assault of a law enforcement officer (18 Pa.C.S. §2702.1) were added to the Crimes Code by Act 131 of 2008. However, Act 131 did not make corresponding changes to the Uniform Firearms Act to disqualify an individual convicted of these crimes from legally possessing a firearm in the future. This oversight needs to be remedied. Expanding the law to cover any individual who attempted, solicited or conspired with another to commit either of these crimes is equally important. Crimes against law enforcement officers are unacceptable. Our laws must reflect the seriousness of such offenses and I believe disqualifying an individual who engaged in such an action from legally possessing a firearm is an appropriate response to such activity. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office. |
Introduced as SB702