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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 2, 2016 11:58 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Vincent J. Hughes |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Uniform Firearms Act – Strict Liability |
| In the near future, I will be reintroducing SB 309 of the 2015-16 legislative session. This legislation amends the Uniform Firearms Act ("UFA") to impose strict civil and criminal liability on any person, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer who knowingly and intentionally sells, delivers or transfers a firearm in violation of the UFA if that gun is subsequently used in a crime or attempted crime. Current law imposes liability only where the seller has "reason to believe" the firearm will be used in a crime or attempted crime. The UFA was designed to strictly regulate firearm sales and other transfers. Imposing strict civil and criminal liability on persons who sell or transfer firearms is a strong incentive to ensure these individuals comply with the act. Additionally, this language may provide another useful tool for law enforcement to prosecute those who are selling guns illegally and provide another source of recovery of civil damages for a victim of gun crime. If you have any questions, please contact my Chief Counsel, Michael Deery, at mdeery@pasenate.com or (717)-787-7112 at your convenience. |
Introduced as SB118
Memo Updated: December 2, 2016 11:59 AM