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11/13/2024 07:41 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20170&cosponId=21283
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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 9, 2016 03:48 PM
From: Representative Rick Saccone
To: All House members
Subject: Human Relations Act – Protecting the Exercise of Self-Defense Rights
 
In the near future I will reintroduce legislation that would amend the PA Human Relations Act to provide protection from discrimination for individuals who choose to exercise constitutionally protected rights to own or carry a firearm for self-defense.

Unfortunately, some politicians and special interest groups have chosen to politicize violent criminal acts and demonize law-abiding firearm owners in the hopes of curtailing the natural right to defend one’s self. In some cases, their venomous rhetoric has led to instances of discrimination against those who legally own or carry firearms. For example:
  • A disabled man in Maine protected himself with a handgun in his own apartment. As the result, he was threatened with eviction because of the property management company’s policy against firearms.
  • Olive Garden employees in Kansas City, Missouri refused to serve a police office, because he was carrying a pistol (to Olive Garden’s credit, the company has apologized for the discriminatory actions of its employees).
  • Chuck E. Cheese apologized to a police officer who was refused service in Kentucky, but continues a company policy of refusing service to law-abiding civilians who carry a firearm.
  • Also in Kentucky, an Army National Guard soldier was refused service by a Waffle House.
  • A property management company in Houston Texas is attempting to evict a mother who used a firearm in her apartment to protect her teenage son from an attack by gang members.
  • A Mississippi man was fired from his job for lawfully storing a firearm in his locked personal vehicle.

Although these are only a few specific examples from all around the United States, I believe that there are many landlords, employers and places of public accommodation with policies that preclude law-abiding gun owners from exercising their right keep and bear arms.

In order to protect those who own or carry firearms to defend themselves, my legislation will amend the PA Human Relations Act to protect those who exercise self-defense rights from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation. Specifically protected would be:
  • The lawful ownership, use, possession or transportation of a firearm;
  • The lawful carrying of a firearm under the Uniform Firearms Act;
  • The lawful storage of a firearm in a dwelling, residence or personal vehicle; and
  • The lawful transfer of a firearm.

Finally, my bill will allow employers to reasonably regulate an employee’s possession of a firearm during work hours or on the employer’s property, if the employer’s policy does not interfere with:

  • The lawful carrying of a concealed firearm;
  • The lawful storage of a firearm in a personal vehicle; or
  • The employee’s exercise of other firearm rights when he is not acting in his capacity as an employee.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope that you will join me by cosponsoring this important legislation to protect Pennsylvanians’ right to own or carry a firearm for self-defense.




Introduced as HB38


Memo Updated: December 9, 2016 03:49 PM