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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 10, 2022 04:26 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Zabel |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Enabling Counties to Access Federal Funding for Gun Violence Prevention Programs |
| This past June, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, its first major gun safety legislation in almost 30 years. Supported by both Republicans and Democrats, the legislation addresses the problem of gun violence in a number of ways, recognizing that many solutions are worth considering, and that local governments may wish to choose the approaches that are best for their community. One approach offered by the bill: $750 million to state and local governments to implement extreme risk protection order (ERPO) programs. As a legislature, we have debated a statewide ERPO law, and it’s doubtless that discussion will continue. At the same time, Pennsylvania has a unique opportunity with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and we owe it to our constituents to take advantage. Just as individual legislators’ opinions differ on ERPO laws, so do the needs and preferences of our respective communities. With those differences of opinion in mind, it is time for the General Assembly to act. That is why I will be introducing legislation that allows counties to implement their own ERPO program in a form that best fits the county. While the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act permits counties some latitude in the creation of these programs, they must in all cases meet strict due process and evidentiary requirements and have penalties for abuses of the programs. With these important protections in place, counties will be able to tailor their ERPO programs to their needs. And of course, other counties could decline to implement an ERPO program. My proposed legislation would simply open up access to $750 million of federal funding, and allow the counties to decide the approach that is best for their residents. Please join me in allowing counties the opportunity to combat gun violence and save lives. |
Introduced as HB2859