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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*PA Gubernatorial:* Doug Mastriano Joe Gale Melissa Hart Scott Martin William McSwain *PA Senatorial:* Bob Casey Carla Sands Conor Lamb Craig Snyder David McCormick Everett Stern Jeff Bartos John Fetterman Kathy Barnette Malcolm Kenyatta Mehmet Oz Sean Parnell Sharif Street Val Arkoosh	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]