Defending right to bear arms
By Reps. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) and Kathy Rapp (R-Warren).

We participated in a State Capitol rally on Tuesday to offer our support for a landmark package of Second Amendment rights protection legislation.

In order to protect public safety, we must be proactive in protecting people's Second Amendment rights. Stricter gun control laws will not stop people who don't abide by the law from misusing guns. What we need are laws that ensure law-abiding citizens have the right to defend themselves, and ensure criminals who obtain or use guns illegally will be prosecuted.

With the additional constituent backup of more than 6,000 online and written petitions we continue to receive against several extreme House Democratsponsored gun control measures, we have agreed to co-sponsor House Bill 641.

Commonly referred to as the Castle Doctrine, this legislation would strengthen existing laws dealing with the use of lethal force for the purposes of self-defense. HB 641 is based on similar legislation enacted in Florida that would eliminate the duty to retreat before using lethal force outside of one's home, business, vehicle or state park. The measure would also offer specific protection against civil liability for the lawful use of force in self-defense.

We are also co-sponsors of House Bill 1092. This legislation would allow individuals with a valid Pennsylvania license to carry a firearm to purchase additional guns without the cumbersome, expensive and redundant requirements of subsequent background checks through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS).

Additionally, we support House Bill 1160. Under this legislation individuals who can demonstrate evidence of imminent danger to themselves or a member of their family would be entitled to a temporary emergency license to carry a firearm after passing a computerized background check of criminal history, juvenile delinquency and mental health records. The temporary license would be good for 90 days to allow sufficient time to apply for a regular license to carry a firearm and undergo the potential 45-day waiting period for a license to carry under current state law.

Finally, we are co-sponsors of House Bill 1161. This legislation calls for Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies, specifically the state police, to discontinue its database of legal handgun purchases. Those records include personal information about gun owners, such as mailing addresses and Social Security numbers. House Bill 1161 sets a third-degree felony penalty and a fine up to $5 million for maintaining an illegal gun registry or database.

We rely heavily on the input of our constituents whenever issues involving sportsmen and the Second Amendment come before the General Assembly. No matter how well-intended, gun control activists and their supporters in the State House have the wrong ideas about how to go about reducing violent crimes committed by those who obtain their weapons illegally.

Pennsylvanians must never allow the social and legal status of law abiding gun owners to be reduced to silent, second class citizens.