PRINTER'S NO. 1924
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1505
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, BULLOCK, THOMAS, DEAN, FRANKEL, KINSEY
AND WARREN, JUNE 6, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 6, 2017
AN ACT
Providing for child firearm safety lock mechanisms; and
prescribing penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Child Firearm
Safety Lock Act.
Section 2. Purposes.
The purposes of this act are as follows:
(1) To promote the safe storage and use of handguns by
consumers.
(2) To prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining
access to or using a handgun, including children.
(3) To avoid hindering industry from supplying law-
abiding citizens with firearms for all lawful purposes,
including hunting, self-defense, collecting and competitive
or recreational shooting.
Section 3. Definitions.
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The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Licensee." A licensed manufacturer, importer or dealer of
firearms.
"Locking device." Includes the following:
(1) A device that, if installed on a firearm and secured
by means of a key or a mechanically, electronically or
electromechanically operated combination lock, prevents the
firearm from being discharged without first deactivating or
removing the device.
(2) A locking mechanism incorporated into the design of
a firearm that prevents discharge of the firearm by an
individual who does not have access to the key or other
device designed to unlock the mechanism.
Section 4. Locking device for firearms.
It shall be unlawful for a licensee to sell, deliver or
transfer a firearm to an individual other than another licensee
unless the transferee is provided with or purchases a locking
device for the firearm.
Section 5. Exceptions.
The following firearms are not subject to the provisions of
this act:
(1) Firearms for transfer to or possession by a law
enforcement officer employed by a Federal, State or local
government entity or rail police employed and certified by a
rail carrier as a police officer whether on or off duty.
(2) Firearms for transfer to an individual if the
firearm qualifies as an antique firearm under 18 Pa.C.S. ยง
6118 (relating to antique firearms).
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(3) Firearms for transfer to an individual for which a
safety device is temporarily unavailable, provided that the
licensed manufacturer, licensed importer or licensed dealer
delivers to the transferee within 14 calendar days of the
original date of the delivery of the firearm a safety device
for the firearm.
Section 6. Penalties.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this act shall
result in:
(1) Suspension or revocation of a license issued to a
licensee.
(2) A civil penalty for a licensee of not more than
$10,000.
Section 7. Civil immunity.
An individual who has lawful possession and control of a
firearm and who uses a safety device with the firearm shall be
entitled to immunity from civil liability for damages resulting
from the criminal or unlawful misuse of the firearm by a third
party if:
(1) the firearm was accessed by another individual who
did not have the permission or authorization of the
individual having lawful possession and control of the
firearm to have access to it; and
(2) at the time access was gained by the individual not
so authorized, the firearm had been made inoperable by use of
a safety device.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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