Support Background Checks to Close the Long Gun Loophole

As people of faith who believe we are called to love our neighbors, we must be concerned for their safety. The proliferation of guns in Pennsylvania increases the potential for injuries and deaths of our neighbors due to gun violence or the mishandling of guns.

Pennsylvania law currently requires mandatory background checks through a state system in order to purchase any firearm through a licensed dealer or a handgun from a private seller. However, we have a rather large loophole with regard to long-guns which allows people to purchase firearms—including assault-style weapons—from a private seller or family member without undergoing a background check.

Senate Bill 88 and House Bill 673 would close the long-gun loophole, making all firearm sales in Pennsylvania subject to a background check. The only exception would be for firearms transfers between direct family members.

Go to https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5415/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=27116 to urge your Senator and Representative to support and sign on the legislation proposed in their respective houses, and to encourage their colleagues to do so as well.

While passage is a long shot in this session, it is important to begin building momentum for the next session.

Please send a message to your PA Representative and Senator to close the long-gun loophole—and feel free to add to the message or put it in your own words.