Pennsylvania HB 454: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, repealing provisions relating to firearms not to be carried without a license, providing for license not required, repealing provisions relating to carrying firearms on public streets or public property in Philadelphia, further providing for prohibited conduct during emergency, providing for sportsman's firearm permit, further providing for licenses and for antique firearms and repealing provisions relating to proof of license and exception; and making editorial changes.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 436
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 454
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BERNSTINE, D'ORSIE, GREINER, HAMM, DIAMOND,
STAMBAUGH, HEFFLEY, REICHARD, KAUFFMAN, CUTLER, SMITH,
RYNCAVAGE, ROWE, KOZAK, GROVE, GLEIM, M. JONES, FINK, BONNER,
ZIMMERMAN, FLOOD, BASHLINE, WARNER, MAJOR, BOROWICZ,
LEADBETER AND ANDERSON, FEBRUARY 3, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic
Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in
firearms and other dangerous articles, repealing provisions
relating to firearms not to be carried without a license,
providing for license not required, repealing provisions
relating to carrying firearms on public streets or public
property in Philadelphia, further providing for prohibited
conduct during emergency, providing for sportsman's firearm
permit, further providing for licenses and for antique
firearms and repealing provisions relating to proof of
license and exception; and making editorial changes.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The laws in existence regulating firearms ownership,
possession and use are ineffectual in preventing crime and
only interfere with the natural rights of law-abiding
citizens.
(2) It is necessary to codify the inherent right to the
carrying of firearms, whether openly or concealed, and that
the right to self-defense is an inherent natural right that
shall not be questioned as stated in section 21 of Article I
of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 913(b)(3) and 6105.2(g)(1) of Title 18
of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
§ 913. Possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in court
facility.
* * *
(b) Grading.--
* * *
(3) An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a summary
offense if the person was carrying a firearm under section
[6106(b) (relating to firearms not to be carried without a
license) or] 6109 (relating to licenses) and failed to check
the firearm under subsection (e) prior to entering the court
facility.
* * *
§ 6105.2. Relinquishment of firearms and firearm licenses by
convicted persons.
* * *
(g) Relinquishment of licenses.--
(1) A person convicted of a crime resulting in a firearm
disability pursuant to section 6105(c)(9) shall also
relinquish to the sheriff any firearm license issued under
section [6106 (relating to firearms not to be carried without
a license) or] 6109 (relating to licenses) or 23 Pa.C.S. §
6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for
safekeeping).
* * *
Section 2. Section 6106 of Title 18 is repealed:
[§ 6106. Firearms not to be carried without a license.
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(a) Offense defined.--
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who
carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a
firearm concealed on or about his person, except in his place
of abode or fixed place of business, without a valid and
lawfully issued license under this chapter commits a felony
of the third degree.
(2) A person who is otherwise eligible to possess a
valid license under this chapter but carries a firearm in any
vehicle or any person who carries a firearm concealed on or
about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place
of business, without a valid and lawfully issued license and
has not committed any other criminal violation commits a
misdemeanor of the first degree.
(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not
apply to:
(1) Constables, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or
their deputies, policemen of this Commonwealth or its
political subdivisions, or other law-enforcement officers.
(2) Members of the army, navy, marine corps, air force
or coast guard of the United States or of the National Guard
or organized reserves when on duty.
(3) The regularly enrolled members of any organization
duly organized to purchase or receive such firearms from the
United States or from this Commonwealth.
(4) Any persons engaged in target shooting with a
firearm, if such persons are at or are going to or from their
places of assembly or target practice and if, while going to
or from their places of assembly or target practice, the
firearm is not loaded.
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(5) Officers or employees of the United States duly
authorized to carry a concealed firearm.
(6) Agents, messengers and other employees of common
carriers, banks, or business firms, whose duties require them
to protect moneys, valuables and other property in the
discharge of such duties.
(7) Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing,
repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or
representative of any such person, having in his possession,
using or car