The state house passed a bill which would allow someone to sue a local municipality over its gun laws if they’re stricter than the state. Governor Tom Corbett says he intends to sign it, but local lawmakers are conflicted over it.
It’s a controversial topic that has been back and forth between the house and senate for years. Should a group such as the NRA or anyone for that matter be allowed to sue a township or borough because its gun laws are stricter than the state? Some lawmakers from our area say yes.
"It boils down to local municipalities being able to enact their own gun ordinances - which there's a legal issue with that," say Republican Sen. Scott Wagner, who represents York County.
Wagner and other supporters say it protects people who pack heat. People have traveled across the state and broken laws they didn't even know existed.
"If I have a concealed weapons permit and I have firearms in my vehicle and I travel from one municipality to another that creates a problem," says Sen. Wagner.
The bill will not only allow membership organizations such as the NRA to sue, but it also allows the plaintiff to collect legal fees at the expense of the municipality. It's something Democratic Senator Rob Teplitz says could cost millions.
"I voted against it because of my concern for the financial penalties for the cities that have already enacted their own rules," says Teplitz.
Teplitz says he had cities in recovery mode, like Harrisburg, in mind when he voted. He believes municipalities with stricter gun laws should be exempt from the new law.
"If we had been successful in grandfathering Harrisburg and other cities that enacted their own firearms ordinances I would've voted for the bill but we weren't successful in being able to do that," says Teplitz.
