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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 7, 2022 10:12 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative MaryLouise Isaacson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Destroying Confiscated or Recovered Firearms |
| Far too often, firearms used in a crime are confiscated by law enforcement and sold, potentially to be used in another future crime. A recent Associated Press investigation of this practice in Washington state found that this is far from hypothetical; of 6,000 firearms sold by law enforcement between 2010 and 2018, several were used in violent crimes after being sold. For this reason, my legislation would mandate that law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania make reasonable efforts to identify and return all firearms to their rightful and lawful owners. If an owner cannot be identified within 120 days, the firearm would be required to be destroyed. Additionally, individuals who are prohibited by law from possessing a firearm may not have their firearm returned to them. My legislation would not require that a confiscated or recovered firearm be destroyed if the firearm is evidence in an ongoing investigation, a criminal prosecution, or civil litigation. The firearm would only be destroyed once the investigation has concluded or if the court issues an order authorizing the destruction of the firearm. My legislation would also require that all confiscated firearms be destroyed at smelting plants in the Commonwealth. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to ensure that firearms do not fall into the wrong hands. |
Introduced as HB355