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Bill

SB 489

An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition; and, in home rule and optional plan government, repealing provisions relating to limitation on municipal powers.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Maria Collett and 8 co-sponsors

SB 489 strips Pennsylvania municipalities of authority to regulate firearms and ammunition, consolidating gun policy at state level only.

Referred to Local Government
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 489

Legislative bill overview

SB 489 amends Pennsylvania law to restrict municipalities' ability to regulate firearms and ammunition beyond state law, while simultaneously repealing existing municipal power limitations in home rule provisions. The bill essentially preempts local gun ordinances, preventing cities and counties from enacting stricter firearm regulations than the state permits.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects public safety policy at the local level. Communities currently use municipal ordinances to address gun violence through measures like firearm registration, waiting periods, or restrictions on certain weapons. Passing this bill would eliminate that local regulatory authority, consolidating all firearms policy decisions at the state level and potentially preventing municipalities from responding to community-specific safety concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Local control vs. state preemption: Supporters of local governance argue municipalities should set rules reflecting community values; opponents contend uniform state law prevents a patchwork of conflicting regulations
  • Public safety implications: Advocates worry loss of local tools increases gun violence risk; proponents argue state law adequately addresses safety without municipal restrictions
  • Constitutional interpretation: Disagreement over whether Second Amendment protections require state-level uniformity or permit local regulation within constitutional bounds
  • Municipal fiscal and legal impacts: Cities with existing ordinances face enforcement uncertainty and potential legal challenges to existing regulations

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

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