PRINTER'S NO. 3204
No. 246 Session of 1994
INTRODUCED BY ITKIN, FEBRUARY 7, 1994
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, FEBRUARY 7, 1994
A RESOLUTION
1 Establishing a select committee of the House of Representatives
2 to investigate the illegal proliferation and use of firearms
3 including semiautomatic weapons.
4 WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the illegal use of
5 firearms in the commission of crime in this Commonwealth is a
6 problem of tremendous magnitude; and
7 WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that illegal trafficking
8 in firearms is a growing and serious problem in this
9 Commonwealth; and
10 WHEREAS, The illegal use of firearms in the commission of
11 crime threatens the safety and security of the citizens of this
12 Commonwealth and its urban, suburban and rural communities; and
13 WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the proliferation of
14 semiautomatic weapons in this Commonwealth is of concern to the
15 people of this Commonwealth; and
16 WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the use and
17 potential use of semiautomatic weapons in the commission of
18 crimes in this Commonwealth is also of concern to the people in
1 this Commonwealth; and
2 WHEREAS, It is the desire of the General Assembly to
3 determine whether certain semiautomatic weapons have any common
4 lawful use; and
5 WHEREAS, It is the desire of the General Assembly to
6 determine the scope of the legal firearms industry in this
7 Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, the number of
8 licensed firearms dealers and manufacturers in this
9 Commonwealth, in order to better understand the magnitude and
10 methods of operation of illegal firearms trafficking in this
11 Commonwealth; and
12 WHEREAS, It is the desire of the General Assembly to
13 determine what regulation, if any, of firearms, including
14 semiautomatic weapons will reduce their illegal proliferation,
15 use and potential use in the commission of crime without
16 impinging upon the lawful ownership and use of firearms for
17 hunting, target shooting or other legitimate sporting or
18 recreational activities; and
19 WHEREAS, It is the desire of the General Assembly to
20 determine whether additional punishment for those persons who
21 illegally traffic in or use firearms and use of firearms with a
22 high capacity for firepower in the commission or attempted
23 commission of crime would enhance public health, safety and
24 welfare; therefore be it
25 RESOLVED, That a select committee be created to investigate
26 the illegal proliferation and uses of firearms, including
27 semiautomatic weapons, and investigate their use in the
28 commission of crimes in this Commonwealth and that the select
29 committee's investigation include, but not be limited to, the
30 following named semiautomatic weapons:
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1 Algimec AGM 1 type
2 Armalite AR-180 carbine
3 Australian SAR
4 Avtomat Kalashnikov (AK) series
5 Beretta AR-70 (SC-70)
6 Beretta BM59
7 Bushmaster Assault Rifle (armgun)
8 Calico M-900 type
9 CETME 63
10 Chartered Industries SR-88 type
11 Colt AR-15 series
12 Colt CAR-15 series
13 Daewoo AR-100 type
14 Daewoo K-1
15 Daewoo K-2
16 Daewoo Max 1
17 Daewoo Max 2
18 Demro TAC-1 carbine type
19 Encom MP-9 carbine type
20 Encom MP-45 carbine type
21 Fabrique Nationale FN/FAL
22 Fabrique Nationale FN/LAR
23 Fabrique Nationale FNC
24 FAMAS MAS223
25 G3SA type
26 Galil type
27 Heckler and Koch MK-91
28 Heckler and Koch MK-93
29 Heckler and Koch MK-94
30 Heckler and Koch MP-5
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1 Heckler and Koch PSG-1
2 M-14s
3 M-16 type (selective fire)
4 PJK M-68 carbine
5 Plainfield Machine Company carbine
6 Ruger K-Mini-14/5F
7 Ruger K-Mini-14/5RF
8 SKS with detachable magazine
9 SIG AMT
10 SIG 500 series
11 SIG PE-57
12 Springfield Armory BM59
13 Springfield Armory SAR-48
14 Sterling MK-6
15 Sterling SAR
16 Steyr AUG
17 Valmet M62 semiautomatic
18 Valmet M71S semiautomatic
19 Valmet M76 semiautomatic
20 Valmet M78 semiautomatic
21 Uzi
22 Weaver Arms Nighthawk
23 Calico M-900
24 Mac 10
25 Mac 11
26 Intratec TEC-9
27 Intratec TEC-22
28 Mitchell Arms Spectre Auto
29 Sterling MK-7
30 Encom CM-55
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1 Franchi SPAS 12
2 Franchi LAW 12
3 Gilbert Equipment Company Striker 12
4 Gilbert Equipment Company Street Sweeper
5 USAS 12 semiautomatic type;
6 and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That the committee consist of the following
8 members, whose appointing authorities agree to participate in
9 this inquiry:
10 (1) four members of the General Assembly, two of whom
11 appointed by the Majority Leader of the House of
12 Representatives, two of whom appointed by the Minority Leader
13 of the House of Representatives;
14 (2) a designee of the Fraternal Order of Police;
15 (3) a designee of the Attorney General;
16 (4) a designee of the Local Government Commission;
17 (5) a designee of the Pennsylvania District Attorney's
18 Association;
19 (6) a designee of the Governor representing the
20 Pennsylvania State Police;
21 (7) a designee of the Federation of Sportsmen Clubs;
22 (8) a designee of the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania;
23 (9) a designee of the National Rifle Association;
24 (10) a designee of Handgun Control, Inc.;
25 (11) a designee of the Keystone Citizens for the
26 Preservation of Rights;
27 (12) a designee of the Pennsylvania Game Commission;
28 (13) a designee of the Secretary of Health; and
29 (14) a member of a crime victims organization;
30 and be it further
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1 RESOLVED, That the committee elect a chairman from its
2 membership; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the committee be authorized to hold hearings,
4 take testimony and make its investigations at such places as it
5 deems necessary in this Commonwealth; and be it further
6 RESOLVED, That each member of the committee have power to
7 administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before
8 the committee; and be it further
9 RESOLVED, That the committee make a preliminary report of any
10 of its findings and recommendations to the House of
11 Representatives by March 31, 1994, and make a final report of
12 its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives
13 by May 30, 1994; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, That the members of the committee serve without
15 compensation but be reimbursed for all necessary and actual
16 expenses incurred in the performance of their duties; and be it
17 further
18 RESOLVED, That the actual expenses incurred by the committee
19 be paid by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.
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