Pennsylvania HB 2244: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax. Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, providing for the offense of unauthorized access to firearms.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3505 PRINTER'S NO. 3545
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2244
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BRIGGS, SHUSTERMAN, FRANKEL, McNEILL, BRENNAN,
ISAACSON, RIVERA, VENKAT, CURRY, MADDEN, HANBIDGE, DONAHUE,
HOHENSTEIN, POWELL, GUENST, SANCHEZ, KINKEAD, OTTEN, FREEMAN,
INGLIS, BOROWSKI, SCHLOSSBERG AND PROBST, JUNE 2, 2026
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 8, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous
articles, providing for the offense of unauthorized access to
firearms.
AMENDING THE ACT OF MARCH 4, 1971 (P.L.6, NO.2), KNOWN AS THE
TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971, IN SALES AND USE TAX, FURTHER
PROVIDING FOR EXCLUSIONS FROM TAX.
AMENDING TITLE 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
CONSOLIDATED STATUTES, IN FIREARMS AND OTHER DANGEROUS
ARTICLES, PROVIDING FOR THE OFFENSE OF UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO
FIREARMS.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended to read:
SECTION 1. SECTION 204 OF THE ACT OF MARCH 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
NO.2), KNOWN AS THE TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971, IS AMENDED BY
ADDING A CLAUSE TO READ:
SECTION 204. EXCLUSIONS FROM TAX.--THE TAX IMPOSED BY
SECTION 202 SHALL NOT BE IMPOSED UPON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
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(77) THE SALE AT RETAIL OR USE OF A GUN SAFE OR GUN LOCK.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CLAUSE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND PHRASES
SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
"GUN LOCK" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS THE TERM "LOCKING
DEVICE" AS DEFINED IN 18 PA.C.S. § 6142(F) (RELATING TO LOCKING
DEVICE FOR FIREARMS).
"GUN SAFE" MEANS A SELF-CONTAINED ENCLOSURE SPECIFICALLY
DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECURELY STORING A
FIREARM AND EQUIPPED WITH A PADLOCK, KEY LOCK, COMBINATION LOCK,
KEYPAD, ELECTRONIC KEYPAD, BIOMETRIC SCANNER OR SIMILAR
MECHANISM THAT, WHEN PROPERLY LOCKED, PREVENTS UNAUTHORIZED
ACCESS TO THE FIREARM. THE TERM DOES NOT INCLUDE A GUN CABINET.
SECTION 2. TITLE 18 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED
STATUTES IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
§ 6143. Unauthorized access to firearms.
(a) Secure storage required.--A possessor of a firearm shall
ensure that the firearm is securely stored when not in use. For
the purpose of this subsection, a firearm is considered to be
securely stored when not in use if the firearm is carried by the
possessor or within close proximity to the possessor so that the
possessor can readily retrieve the firearm and prevent
unauthorized users from gaining access to the firearm as if the
possessor carried the firearm.
(b) Grading.--A violation of subsection (a) shall be graded
as follows:
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), a summary
offense with no term of imprisonment.
(2) For a person who knew or should have reasonably
known that a minor or unauthorized user was present or likely
to be present in the area where the firearm was left
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unsecured, a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(c) Civil liability.--A person whose act or omission
constitutes a violation of subsection (a), regardless of whether
there has been a criminal prosecution, shall be strictly liable
for damages in any civil action in which a party claims bodily
injury or property damage resulting from the possession or use
of the person's unsecured firearm.
(d) Affirmative defense.--It is an affirmative defense to
criminal prosecution and civil liability under this section if a
minor or unauthorized user gained possession of the firearm as a
result of an unlawful entry by a person or through a lawful act
of self-defense.
(e) Notice by retailer.--
(1) A person who offers for sale at retail a firearm
shall post in a conspicuous place and at all times display in
block letters not less than three inches in height the
following notice:
Unless lawfully carried on your person, you are
required by law to securely store your firearm(s). A
failure to securely store your firearm(s) may result
in criminal or civil liability.
(2) A violation of this subsection constitutes a
misdemeanor of the third degree.
(f) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Firearm." As defined under section 908(c) (relating to
prohibited offensive weapons).
"Gun safe." A self-contained enclosure specifically designed
and manufactured for the purpose of securely storing a firearm
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and equipped with a padlock, key lock, combination lock, keypad,
electronic keypad, biometric scanner or similar mechanism that,
when properly locked, prevents unautho