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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 21, 2015 10:18 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Anti-Terrorism Legislation - FBI watch lists |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation to amend PA Code 18, Section 6105 to prohibit those on Federal watch lists from purchasing firearms in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. My legislation would add persons who are found to be in suspicion of or a party to terrorist organizations on databases maintained by the Federal Government to be prohibited from purchasing a firearm. The Federal Government maintains "The Do Not Fly List" which is only one of several terrorist watch lists the Federal Government maintain - this would not limit the restriction to only that list. Due to recent events nationally, many states have begun to initiate stricter background measures prior to obtaining a gun. States are becoming more pro-active to ensure the safety and security of their citizens. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy recently signed a similar Executive Order. Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has signed into law a bill that would cause persons on the Federal "No Fly" list to be prohibited from purchasing a fire arm. The New Jersey state legislature concluded that people buying guns or applying for a firearm permit in New Jersey can be blocked as part of the routine criminal history check, conducted through the National Crime Information Center. Governor Christie has been very vocal on this issue as well. Democratic and Republican governors alike have been united on this issue. In every state, that NCIC review leads to purchases and permits being rejected if it reveals a disqualifying factor under state or federal law. In most states, that means someone who has a felony conviction, is not a U.S. citizen, or is subject to certain court orders. Buyers in New Jersey, however, also are rejected if the applicant's name appears on the NCIC's "known or appropriately suspected terrorist" list, one of several such terror watch lists maintained by U.S. law enforcement." The Wall Street Journal ran a recent article highlighting what many states are doing to provide more restrictions on handgun purchases under the law. http://www.wsj.com/articles/no-fly-list-is-only-one-of-many-u-s-watchlists-1449570602 This is a common-sense bill with bi-partisan support nationally. Please join me in co-sponsoring my bill to provide more safeguards when purchasing a firearm. |
Introduced as SB1100