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Bill

SB 770

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in minors, providing for the offense of access to firearms by minors; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amanda Cappelletti and 14 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill criminalizes minors' unauthorized firearm access and establishes penalties for improper storage, targeting gun-related youth injury prevention.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 770

Legislative bill overview

SB 770 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to create a new offense specifically targeting unauthorized access to firearms by minors. The bill establishes criminal penalties for minors who obtain or possess firearms without proper authorization, as well as potentially creating liability for adults who fail to secure firearms in ways that prevent minor access.

Why is this important

Firearm access by minors is a significant public health concern, with unintentional shootings, suicides, and accidental deaths among youth representing preventable tragedies. This legislation attempts to address the problem through criminal deterrence, though implementation depends on how "access" and "authorization" are legally defined and enforced.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment concerns: Gun rights advocates may argue the bill infringes on parental authority to determine when and how minors access firearms for hunting, sport shooting, or self-defense training
  • Parental liability ambiguity: The bill's scope regarding adult responsibility for securing firearms remains unclear—whether it penalizes responsible parents whose homes are burglarized or only negligent storage
  • Enforcement and equity: Questions exist about whether enforcement will be applied uniformly across communities or disproportionately impact certain socioeconomic or racial groups

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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