HARRISBURG – To address the inconsistency of firearm laws, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) introduced the Protecting the Rights of Concealed Carry Permit Holders Traveling Across State Lines Act.
Senate Bill 244 would prevent Pennsylvania concealed carry permit holders from being unfairly targeted when traveling to states that do not honor our reciprocity agreements. By ensuring that Pennsylvania’s Firearms License Validation System is not misused by out-of-state authorities, Mastriano’s bill would protect the rights of our citizens and uphold the integrity of the Second Amendment.
“The Second Amendment was never meant to be confined by arbitrary state lines. Our constitutional rights do not end when we cross into another state, and neither should our ability to protect ourselves and our families,” Mastriano said.
Despite having undergone rigorous background checks and meeting all licensing requirements, law-abiding gun owners have been wrongfully detained and subjected to legal harassment for exercising their rights. There have been documented cases of individuals being pulled over for routine traffic stops, only to be detained for hours after out-of-state law enforcement accessed Pennsylvania’s Firearms License Validation System and found their concealed carry permit.
The legislation would amend Title 18 of Pennsylvania law to prohibit the sharing of Firearms License Validation System data with states that do not honor Pennsylvania’s reciprocity agreements.
Virginia, Florida and Texas have passed similar measures to protect their citizens from unjust treatment in anti-gun states. These laws prevent non-reciprocal states from accessing concealed carry permit data, ensuring that lawful gun owners are not subjected to unfair detentions.
Additionally, 23 states have Constitutional Carry laws, meaning that law-abiding citizens do not even need a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
“Pennsylvania’s failure to protect its gun owners puts them at risk even while states with stronger pro-gun laws recognize their rights,” Mastriano said. “Pennsylvania must take action to ensure that our citizens are protected from overreaching state governments that seek to undermine the Second Amendment.”
The bill is before the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.
CONTACT: Don Beishl, 717-787-6701