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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 3, 2019 02:31 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Angel Cruz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Statewide Gun Buyback Program |
| Gun buyback programs have been administered across the country in our communities for decades. The concept is simple: a person trades an unwanted gun for an incentive – cash or gift certificate – at an event hosted by officials. Once collected, the weapons are checked as to whether they were stolen and some localities check whether any were used in a crime and most often they are destroyed. By creating its own gun buyback program, Pennsylvania could help to reduce the increasingly high rates of firearm related deaths, remove guns that could potentially be stolen and raise public awareness about the dangers from the improper use of guns. Other states, including New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Louisiana and Delaware have recognized the value of implementing a statewide buyback program with similar legislation. I am proposing the establishment of a statewide gun buyback program within the Office of Attorney General to be administered in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police and voluntarily for local law enforcement. Anyone surrendering a firearm is able to do so anonymously and without prosecution. Regulations issued by the Attorney General’s office are to provide guidelines for local officials and communities in administering the program and authorizing local gun buyback programs. If just one weapon surrendered saves a life, then my legislation is worth it. Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925. |
Introduced as HB202