Pennsylvania Constitutional Carry Moves Forward, in Spite of Veto Threat

U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Constitutional Carry is advancing in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 565 is a strong Constitutional Carry bill, which mostly removes current prohibitions on carrying concealed, the requirement for a permit to carry openly or concealed in Philadelphia, and maintains the possibility of obtaining an optional license to carry if one is desired.

On November 9, 2021, the Pennsylvania Senate passes Senate Bill 565 by a vote of 29 to 21.

On November 17, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 565 by a vote of 107 to 92.

The bill will almost certainly be vetoed by Ohio Governor Tom Wolf (D). From wgal.com:

Opponents pointed out the proposal is unlikely to be enacted, as Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s office said he will veto the legislation, and argued the bill would make people less safe by making guns more readily accessible.

Senate Bill 565 started in the Senate on April 16, 2021. Here is the short synopsis:

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, repealing provisions relating to firearms not to be carried without a license, providing for license not required, further providing for prohibited conduct during emergency, repealing provisions relating to carrying firearms on public streets or public property in Philadelphia, providing for sportsman’s firearm permit, further providing for licenses and repealing provisions relating to proof of license and exception.

The General Assembly states the purpose of the bill. They say most firearms laws are ineffectual:

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The laws in existence regulating firearms ownership, possession and use LICENSING are ineffectual in preventing crime and only interfere with the natural rights of law-abiding citizens.

 

(2) It is necessary to codify the inherent right to the

carrying of firearms, whether openly or concealed, and that the right to self-defense is an inherent natural right that shall not be questioned as stated in section 21 of Article I of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

About Dean Weingarten:

Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.