Gun bill shot down

Pennsylvania's gun owners flexed their political muscle in response to a downstate lawmaker's firearm registration proposal, shooting it down with petitions, letters to the editor and other weapons in their well-stocked arsenal.

State Assemblyman Angel Cruz (D-Philadelphia) aknowledged this week that HB 760 has no chance of passing. It would require a $10 fee for each gun in the state, while forcing firearms owners to be photographed and fingerprinted.

It also would require registration with the state police of most guns. An applicant would have to disclose his or her address, phone number, birth date, Social Security number, gender and country of citizenship.

National Rifle Assn. lobbyist John Hohenwarter said his organization rallied its forces against the bill and the response was overwhelming. He estimated that there are between 10 million and 15 million firearms in Pennsylvania.

Cruz represents a district hard-hit by the city's growing gun-violence problem.

Only Hawaii and Washington, D.C., currently require most firearms to be registered. Some other states require registration of assault weapons and .50-caliber rifles.

HB 760 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Other gun control measures introduced so far this session would:

--Allow for municipal preemption of state firearm laws.

--Assess criminal penalties against a firearm owner if his or her firearm was used in a crime and had been incorrectly stored.

--Limit handgun purchases to one per month.

--Require mandatory reporting within 24 hours of lost or stolen firearms and notice of multiple purchases.