Local state reps strongly opposed to firearm registry
Local state representatives voiced strong opposition to a proposal for a statewide firearm registry introduced in the state House of Representatives.
The proposal, made by state Rep. Angel Cruz, a Philadelphia County Democrat, would require gun owners to register their firearms yearly with the state police. The bill proposes a $10 fee to register each firearm, and to renew its registration annually.
According to Cruz’s memorandum on the proposal, upon application and approval, firearm owners will be given a registration certificate, valid for one year, for each registered firearm they own.
Those certificates will only be issued to individuals who are eligible to possess a firearm under federal and state law, who have never been convicted of a crime of violence and have not been convicted of a crime relating to the use, possession or sale of any dangerous drug within five years prior to the application.
While Cruz has said he believes the police database will aid all law enforcement officials with investigations and with tracking missing or stolen firearms, local lawmakers aren’t sold on the proposal.
State Rep. Justin Walsh, R-Rostraver Township, is a member of the state Judiciary Committee where the bill now sits.
“I have been assured by Chairman (state Rep. Rob) Kauffman that this will not be brought before the committee for a vote,” Walsh said.
He adamantly disagreed with the contention that the registry could reduce crime and said moreover, the legislation “punishes law abiding gun owners.”
Local state legislators – Republican and Democrat – all agreed that the proposal runs afoul of the constitution and gave the legislation little chance of going anywhere.
State Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, called the proposal a publicity stunt, specifically noting that charging firearms owners a $10 fee per gun “in an infringement on our rights.”
“I would put this proposed legislation on the same level of ridiculousness as U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal in Congress,” Warner said of the environmental legislation that did not receive enough votes to make it to the U.S. Senate.
“It makes absolutely no sense — at least to me, as a conservative Democrat — for the state to force hunters and other law-abiding citizens to pay $10 per year to register each of their firearms,” said State Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, who is also a member of the legislature’s Second Amendment Caucus and its Sportsmen’s Caucus, adding that she understands the feelings of those she represents. “I will vote against this proposal at every turn.”
State Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown, said his office has received dozens of calls and messages from constituents opposed to the gun registry. He agrees with their opposition.
“This is proposal blatantly disregards our Second Amendment rights established by the U.S. Constitution,” Dowling said, adding that the legislature has consistently prevented similar legislation. “I am firmly opposed to this legislation and will be voting ‘no’ in committee and on the floor, should this bill see any movement.”
“It’s one more incremental part of tearing down the Second Amendment,” said State Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run Township, who said he received more e-mails on that subject within the last 30 days than any other. He said more focus must be put on addressing the mental health needs of individuals who need help.
Snyder added that the “wrong-headed proposal” also includes universal fingerprinting and background check requirements, which would erode the rights of law-abiding citizens while doing nothing to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
“This pie-in-the-sky concept runs counter to the U.S. Constitution and the Second Amendment, and it ignores the alternative, which is to vigorously enforce the laws we already have,” Snyder said.