Posted: | January 6, 2017 02:35 PM |
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From: | Representative James R. Santora and Rep. Dom Costa, Rep. Madeleine Dean |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Background Checks for Firearms for Gun Shows |
In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that would include language from HB 1010 of last session (eliminating all but the familiar transfer exception to the requirement of a background check prior to the purchase or transfer of a firearm) and a new provision to permit the issuance of a single background check approval that would remain valid for multiple days for use at gun shows across the Commonwealth. Currently, the Crimes Code requires firearm sales be conducted in front of a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or county sheriff. However, this provision is only applicable to short-barreled firearms. My legislation would remove this applicability provision and require all firearm sales, regardless of the barrel length, be conducted in front of a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or county sheriff. Ultimately, this legislation would require background checks be conducted for each firearm purchase, which will ensure that individuals attempting to obtain a firearm are authorized to possess such weapons. Familial transfers will still be excluded from the background check requirement as in current law. Additionally, this bill would include language that allows a person to obtain a multiple day background check approval to be used at a licensed gun show within the Commonwealth. With such an approval, a consumer could shop during that multiple day period without having to pay for multiple background checks should he or she decide to make more than one purchase. Please join us in protecting the residents of this Commonwealth by closing the loopholes that have permitted unauthorized individuals access to firearms, while making it easier for law abiding citizens to purchase firearms at gun shows. |
Introduced as HB1400