PASSAGE OF GUN LEGISLATION “A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”  

            HARRISBURG, July 17 – State Sen. LeAnna M. Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) said today she is “encouraged” by the actions of the Senate after firearms legislation was overwhelming passed.

            “I am encouraged by the action taken by the Senate,” Washington said after the legislative body voted in support of the bill.  “This is a major step in the right direction.”

            Washington said she remains disappointed that one-gun-a-month legislation she introduced has not gained traction in the Senate.  “I firmly believe passage of Senate Bill 623 sends an important message to those who choose to live outside the law.” 

            The House passed the measure the previous week.

            S.B. 623 would expand the criminal code definition of a firearm to include rifles, and require police to trace guns illegally possessed by people under 21.  The measure requires local police to use the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau of alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

            The Senate removed one section of the bill before it passed that would require the state police to create a registry of recovered weapons from people under age 21.

            “These are baby steps but it is a beginning nonetheless,” Washington continued.  “Allowing local law enforcement the opportunity to determine how and why a person under 21 years of age gained possession of a firearm is a critical tool in our fight against straw purchasers.

            Furthermore, Washington said, “the ability of local law enforcement to use the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is fundamental in linking illegal guns that are flooding our streets to a national system.”

            Washington said she would continue to push for legislation that would limit the purchase of handguns to one-a-month.  “No one believes these laws, in and of themselves, are a panacea,” Washington added.  “This is just one more piece in our arsenal to address the deleterious conditions in our community.”