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 preemptions, providing for regulation of firearms and ammunition.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marc Anderson and 46 co-sponsors

HB 548: Amending Firearms and Preemption Laws in Pennsylvania OverviewBill Number: HB 548 Title: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally)

Referred to Judiciary

Overview

Bill Number: HB 548
Title: 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 preemptions, providing for regulation of firearms and ammunition.
Status: Referred to Judiciary
Introduced: November 12, 2024

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of HB 548 is to expand state preemption of local firearms regulations in Pennsylvania. The bill aims to further limit the ability of municipalities to enact their own laws and ordinances regarding the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, and other weapons.

Key Provisions

Expands the state's preemption of local firearms regulations, prohibiting municipalities from passing any laws or ordinances that regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or components.

Removes exceptions that previously allowed municipalities to regulate the discharge of firearms in public places or the use of firearms in municipal parks and recreation areas.

Requires the state Attorney General to defend any municipality sued for enacting firearms regulations that violate the expanded preemption.

Imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation on any municipality that enacts firearms regulations in violation of the state preemption.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Municipalities across Pennsylvania would be significantly limited in their ability to enact any local laws or ordinances related to firearms, ammunition, and other weapons.

Residents and businesses in Pennsylvania could be impacted by the reduced ability of local governments to address firearms-related issues within their communities.

Advocacy groups on both sides of the gun control debate are likely to be affected by the changes to state preemption.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

HB 548 has been referred to the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee for consideration. If reported out of committee, the bill would then proceed to a full House vote. If passed by the House, it would move to the Senate for further consideration. The bill's timeline and prospects for passage remain uncertain at this stage.