Josh Shapiro on Gun Control

	Josh Shapiro on Gun Control

Let's strengthen our gun laws and bring about more order

With gun violence at unacceptable levels in our communities, it's long past time for us to take real action. This year, we have an opportunity to pass the first significant gun reform legislation in 20 years. Why the hell are we okay with loopholes on background checks that allow criminals to get their hands on guns? Just close the loopholes. You all like to talk a big game about law and order. So let's strengthen our laws and bring about more order. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature , Feb 6, 2024

Regulate "ghost guns"; trace guns used in crimes

On gun violence, he has emphasized his office's efforts to trace guns used in crimes, break up gun-trafficking rings and subject so-called "ghost guns" to state regulations. Source: Reading Eagle on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race , Oct 12, 2021

Supports "stand your ground" expansion to self-defense

HB40: Providing for use of force in self-protection, for use of force for the protection of other persons.

Opposition by CeaseFirePA: Pennsylvania amended its traditional law of self-defense to include a so-called "Stand Your Ground" or "Shoot First" provision. Under the Castle Doctrine, the duty to retreat did not apply in one's home. The 2011 amendment removed the duty to retreat when one is outside one's home. The law now allows a shooter to offer an entirely perception-based legal defense with next to no provable, factual elements upon which to base guilt or innocence. Now we really would have a shoot first law--a law that could be used to justify race-based killings & hate-motivated crimes where self-defense was a fallacy.

Legislative outcome: Passed House 164-37-2, Roll Call #189 on Apr/12/2011; State Rep. Josh Shapiro voted YES; Passed Senate 45-5-0, Roll Call #180 on Jun/20/11; Signed by Governor Tom Corbett on Jun/28/11

Source: CeaseFirePA on Pennsylvania legislative voting record: HB40 , Oct 12, 2021

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