Body
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that in order for an individual to carry a concealed firearm in public, he or she must be authorized to carry a concealed firearm by an appropriate agency, and while carrying a concealed firearm, must also be carrying a permit issued by that agency; and
WHEREAS, throughout most of Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County, it is County Sheriffs who are responsible for administering concealed carry permits, and it is County Sheriffs who are assigned the duty of determining whether or not an applicant meets Pennsylvania's minimum standards to be issued a concealed carry permit; and,
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania law prohibits the issuance of concealed carry permits to individuals who have been convicted of a drug or alcohol offense, found to be mentally ill, a fugitive of the law, or deemed to be a risk to the public safety of the citizens of this Commonwealth; and,
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has established reciprocity agreements with 25 other states, acknowledging our similar permit issuing standards, and agreeing to honor the concealed carry permits issued by those states within our own borders, so long as their permitting standards remain equivalent to our own; and,
WHEREAS, the United States Congress is considering bill, HR 822, “The National Right To Carry Reciprocity Act,” which would require Pennsylvania to accept the concealed carry permits issued by any state in the nation - whether or not Pennsylvania has negotiated a reciprocity agreement with those states, and regardless of whether or not those states utilize permitting guidelines similar to our own; and
WHEREAS, the proposed legislation would undermine the authority of Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who are on the front lines of the struggle against gun violence, by potentially allowing Pennsylvania residents who have been denied a concealed carry permit, who have had their permit revoked, or who would be otherwise ineligible to carry a concealed ...
Click here for full text