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Bill

HB 887

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 general provisions relating to home rule and optional plan government, repealing provisions relating to limitation on municipal powers.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and 15 co-sponsors

HB 887 strips municipalities of power to regulate firearms beyond state law, centralizing gun policy control at Pennsylvania's state level.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 887

Legislative bill overview

HB 887 amends Pennsylvania law to preempt municipal firearm regulations by preventing local governments from enacting stricter gun control measures than state law allows. The bill repeals existing provisions that granted municipalities limited authority to regulate firearms, centralizing gun policy control at the state level.

Why is this important

This bill would eliminate a patchwork of local firearm ordinances across Pennsylvania's municipalities, creating uniform statewide standards. It reflects an ongoing tension between state-level and local-level governance over public safety regulations, with significant implications for cities and counties that have adopted their own gun restrictions.

Potential points of contention

  • Local control vs. state preemption: Municipalities argue they should address local public safety needs; proponents argue uniform statewide law prevents regulatory confusion
  • Public safety effectiveness: Disagreement over whether stricter local gun laws reduce gun violence or whether they're ineffective given interstate gun trafficking
  • Constitutional interpretation: Different views on how Pennsylvania's Home Rule Law and state Constitution balance municipal authority with state preemption power

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

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