CeaseFirePA Supports Bill to Close Concealed Gun Permit Loophole in Pennsylvania

Dear Friend,

Yesterday in Harrisburg, CeaseFirePA joined legislators, high-ranking police officers and police chiefs, and PA mayors in support of a bill that would prohibit Pennsylvania residents from carrying a concealed gun using an out-of-state permit.

The loophole in Pennsylvania law allows residents to circumvent PA law enforcement when applying for a concealed carry permit--both those individuals making a first-time application and those who have previously been denied a PA permit.

More than 3,100 Pennsylvania residents have taken advantage of this loophole to apply to the Florida Department of Agriculture, receive a permit to carry a concealed gun, and then carry that gun in Pennsylvania. Some of these individuals receiving Fla. permits to carry guns in PA are dangerous persons, with prior arrests for drugs, domestic abuse and even in one case, for homicide.

Taking Control in PA

State Rep. Bryan Lentz (Delaware County) at a news conference in Harrisburg on Tuesday introduced H.B. 2536, legislation to prevent Pennsylvania residents from circumventing state law enforcement officials -- who have the expertise and local knowledge that puts them in the best position to determine which applicants may pose a threat to the community if granted a concealed carry permit.

PA residents can apply directly to the licensing bodies of other states-such as Florida, Utah and New Hampshire--to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm. In Florida, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for administering concealed carry permits, with no obligation to alert PA law enforcement about applications from PA residents.

Joining Rep. Lentz at the podium were Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner William Blackburn, Philadelphia Police Lt. Lisa King (in charge of the gun permits unit), Swarthmore Police Chief Brian H. Craig, and Swarthmore Mayor Richard H. Lowe, who represented more than 180 PA mayors in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. Legislators from several different PA counties joined Rep. Lentz, including Reps. Cherelle Parker and Tony Payton (Philadelphia), Tim Briggs, Rick Taylor and Josh Shapiro (Montgomery). A host of other lawmakers -- from both sides of the aisle -- are already indicating bipartisan support to close this loophole and protect PA police's ability to decide who receives gun permits in Pennsylvania.

"This legislation would ensure that local authorities retain control over the permit process and that Pennsylvania residents who are granted a license to carry have met the standards of our state and not those of another state whose standards may be less than ours," Rep. Lentz explained. "It will also prevent individuals circumventing our system from obtaining out-of-state permits to commit crimes in the commonwealth."

Several months ago, Pennsylvania Mayors Against Illegal Guns sent a letter to Attorney General Tom Corbett-- the Republican nominee for governor -- requesting his interpretation on the Pa.-Fla. reciprocity agreement and the concealed carry permitting issue. Similarly, CeaseFirePA requested that Atty. Gen. Corbett reconsider this issue in a questionnaire it sent to every candidate for governor. Neither group has received a response to date from the attorney general. Meanwhile, the number of Pennsylvania persons applying for and receiving Fla. permits to carry concealed guns -- in PA -- continues to grow.

This bill marks another important step forward to deal with a serious, growing problem. This dangerous loophole is putting more Pennsylvanians citizens and more police officers at risk.

For more reporting on the Florida concealed carry permit loophole, check out articles today in The Patriot News, the Delaware County Daily Times, and FOX29.