Pennsylvania SB 209: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for licenses, providing for liability insurance and further providing for sale or transfer of firearms.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 156
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 209
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CAPPELLETTI, KEARNEY, HAYWOOD, COMITTA, SAVAL,
COSTA, TARTAGLIONE AND KANE, JANUARY 29, 2025
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JANUARY 29, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous
articles, further providing for licenses, providing for
liability insurance and further providing for sale or
transfer of firearms.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 6109(e)(1) of Title 18 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
§ 6109. Licenses.
* * *
(e) Issuance of license.--
(1) A license to carry a firearm shall be for the
purpose of carrying a firearm concealed on or about one's
person or in a vehicle and shall be issued if, after an
investigation not to exceed 45 days, it appears that the
applicant is an individual concerning whom no good cause
exists to deny the license and who has obtained firearm
liability insurance as provided under section 6109.1
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(relating to liability insurance). A license shall not be
issued to any of the following:
(i) An individual whose character and reputation is
such that the individual would be likely to act in a
manner dangerous to public safety.
(ii) An individual who has been convicted of an
offense under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64),
known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and
Cosmetic Act.
(iii) An individual convicted of a crime enumerated
in section 6105.
(iv) An individual who, within the past ten years,
has been adjudicated delinquent for a crime enumerated in
section 6105 or for an offense under The Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
(v) An individual who is not of sound mind or who
has ever been committed to a mental institution.
(vi) An individual who is addicted to or is an
unlawful user of marijuana or a stimulant, depressant or
narcotic drug.
(vii) An individual who is a habitual drunkard.
(viii) An individual who is charged with or has been
convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a
term exceeding one year except as provided for in section
6123 (relating to waiver of disability or pardons).
(ix) A resident of another state who does not
possess a current license or permit or similar document
to carry a firearm issued by that state if a license is
provided for by the laws of that state, as published
annually in the Federal Register by the Bureau of
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Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms of the Department of the
Treasury under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(19) (relating to
definitions).
(x) An alien who is illegally in the United States.
(xi) An individual who has been discharged from the
armed forces of the United States under dishonorable
conditions.
(xii) An individual who is a fugitive from justice.
This subparagraph does not apply to an individual whose
fugitive status is based upon nonmoving or moving summary
offense under Title 75 (relating to vehicles).
(xiii) An individual who is otherwise prohibited
from possessing, using, manufacturing, controlling,
purchasing, selling or transferring a firearm as provided
by section 6105.
(xiv) An individual who is prohibited from
possessing or acquiring a firearm under the statutes of
the United States.
(xv) An individual who has failed to obtain and
provide to the issuing authority evidence of firearm
liability insurance as provided under section 6109.1.
* * *
Section 2. Title 18 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 6109.1. Liability insurance.
(a) Requirement.--An individual may not possess, use,
manufacture, control, sell or transfer or be issued a license
under section 6109 (relating to licenses) without first
obtaining and providing a certificate of liability insurance
verifying that the individual has a valid insurance policy
insuring against injury to persons or property that may arise
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out of the use of a firearm covered by the license.
(b) Required criteria.--The insurance policy shall meet all
of the following criteria:
(1) Be in an amount of at least $1,000,000.
(2) Satisfy any judgment for personal injury or property
damage arising out of a negligent or willful act involving
the use of an insured firearm.
(3) May not cover any unlawful act.
(c) Notice of insurance.--An individual who has been issued
a contract of firearm liability insurance, or any approved self-
insurance entity, shall:
(1) Notify the Pennsylvania State Police of the
liability insurance on a form developed by the Pennsylvania
State Police. The form shall include:
(i) Name and address of the individual.
(ii) Issuing insurance entity policy number and
expiration date of policy.
(iii) Names, addresses an