Resolution 160817
Denouncing Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2258, which would allow for the National Rifle Association and other similar organizations to challenge local gun regulations and hold municipalities liable for their legal fees.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Thank you, Mr. President. Good news. Our Resolution No. 160817 introduced and adopted September 29th, which is your particular interest in dealing with bandit guns in Pennsylvania's effort to block us from protecting ourselves against these proliferation of firearms in our city, the Editorial Board of the Inquirer agrees with us. And we are lockstep in opposition of this, and we thank them. Second thing that -- since…”
Councilman Jones · Stated Meeting, October 13, 2016 · Oct 13, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am Robert Taylor, President of Transport Workers Union Local 700 and WPEB 88.1 FM co-host on the Jasper Jones Show. I am commenting on Resolution 160817, denouncing Pennsylvania House Bill 2258. The Pennsylvania House bill is sorely needed in Philadelphia due to the misbehavior of cities' public servants under the Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution, and the State Constitution, A…”
Mr. Taylor · Stated Meeting, September 29, 2016 · Sep 29, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
“The ayes have it. Resolution 160817 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160820.”
Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, September 29, 2016 · Sep 29, 2016 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Sep 22, 2016Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- Sep 29, 2016ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
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..Title Denouncing Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2258, which would allow for the National Rifle Association and other similar organizations to challenge local gun regulations and hold municipalities liable for their legal fees. ..Body WHEREAS, On Tuesday, September 20, 2016, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted 21-6 in favor of Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2258, a bill introduced by Representative Mark Keller, which allows for the National Rifle Association and other gun enthusiasts in Pennsylvania to sue municipalities over local gun ordinances and restrictions; and WHEREAS, Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2258 allows these individuals to bring suit, regardless of whether they reside in that specific municipality or are directly affected by the ordinance. Additionally, the bill allows for those who brought suit to be awarded legal expenses if they are successful in their case; and WHEREAS, Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2258 is similar to previous legislation that was overturned by the Commonwealth Court in 2015 for violating Pennsylvania's State Constitution. This decision was upheld by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in June of 2016; and WHEREAS, Statistics concerning gun violence in Philadelphia are alarming. From 2013 to 2015, the Philadelphia Police Department reported over 19,200 crimes involving firearms. In 2014, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reported that federal agents recovered 8,929 illegal guns in the state that year, a third of which were recovered in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, A report from the Philadelphia Police Department concerning crime thus far in 2016 show 1,819 robberies using guns and 1,628 assaults with guns across the City; and WHEREAS, Most recently, in September of 2016, five people were killed and 14 were wounded, including two police officers, in shootings that occurred throughout the City within a span of 48 hours; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia County has the largest share of gun violence and gun related crime in the state, and should not be subjected to law suits from those who do not share in the burden of making our City safer; and WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia calls on members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to vote against this bill, and allow for counties like Philadelphia, who suffer the effects of gun violence on a daily basis, to take action against it when necessary, without fear of being sued by the NRA; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Denounces Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2258, which would allow for the National Rifle Association and other similar organizations to challenge local gun regulations and hold municipalities liable for their legal fees. ..End