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Josephs: House making progress with debate on gun control legislation

HARRISBURG, April 1 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., applauded the House for taking up legislation that is designed to help reduce the proliferation of gun violence in Pennsylvania.

The House is debating legislation that would require gun owners to report to the police if their guns are lost or stolen. Josephs said this full debate is a sign of progress.

"I am pleased that we are engaging in a full debate on the issue of keeping guns out of the hands of straw purchasers," Josephs said. "Many of the guns involved in crime and gun violence are obtained illegally through straw purchases.

"But this debate signifies that we're serious about reducing gun violence and I will not stop pressing the issue until common-sense gun control measures are enacted," she said.

One of those measures is Josephs' legislation that would direct the House Judiciary Committee to study new technologies that can identify firearms used in crime and trace the individuals involved. That bill is currently being reviewed by that committee, along with several other gun-control bills.

"New technology is being invented and refined every day, including firearm microstamping, and we should utilize every tool available that would help us reduce gun violence," Joseph said.

"There are polls and polls that have shown the overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians -- including gun owners themselves -- want responsible legislation, such as one-gun-a-month provisions, the required reporting of lost or stolen firearms, and a registry of ammunition, to name a few.

"However, the poll that really counts is on Election Day. Let us remember that neither Governor Rendell nor U.S. Senator Casey was supported by the gun lobby. The senator won with 59 percent of the vote; the governor was elected twice, yet it was their opponents who were supported by the gun lobby. Public opinion is shifting toward gun control and shifting rapidly."

Josephs also noted that she continues to support Philadelphia Councilmembers Darrell L. Clarke and Donna Reed Miller against the Pennsylvania General Assembly to overturn a law that restricts the city from passing its own, stricter gun-control measures. And in March, Josephs participated in a Capitol rally with other like-minded legislators and Ceasefire Pennsylvania to urge the rest of the General Assembly to take action on gun violence.

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