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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 26, 2019 04:07 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kristine C. Howard |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-Sponsorship: Voluntary Assault Weapon Buy-Back Program |
| In Pennsylvania and around the country, we have seen the devastating impacts of high-capacity semi-automatic rifles, which account for 85% of mass shooting fatalities. Approximately 380,000 guns are stolen from individual gun owners annually, suggesting that many of these weapons are being held illegally. I believe we need a solution that reduces the number of assault weapons that can be used for crime. Local voluntary gun buyback programs collect thousands of unwanted or illegally possessed firearms each year. I am proposing the establishment of a voluntary statewide assault weapon buyback program within the Office of the Attorney General in conjunction with our state and local police departments. Voluntary gun buyback programs involve people choosing to exchange their guns for cash or gift card compensation, which I believe is a life-saving investment for the Commonwealth to make. Furthermore, allowing donors to turn over their guns anonymously will help take illegal guns off the street. This legislation may not put an end to gun violence, but it could save lives and make our communities safer. Please join me in reducing the chance of another mass shooting in Pennsylvania. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Harrisburg Office at (717) 783-4088. |