Pittsburgh Review

State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. recently spoke out in defense of the right to bear arms in a spirited speech in January.

Langerholc was specifically speaking about HB 979, which states that no county, municipality or township may, in any manner, regulate the lawful ownership, possession transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition and ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of Pennsylvania. 

“This legislation makes it unequivocally clear that the general assembly is the only elected body that can regulate the sale and use of firearms in our commonwealth,” Langerholc said on Facebook. 

Additionally, he posted a video of himself speaking to fellow state senators in the state Capitol.

In the video, he said that this was existing law that has already been passed, but municipalities enact their own laws and “essentially spit in the face of the general assembly.”

“I ask, what would be the reaction of this body if, instead of municipalities passing gun laws, what if they decided to enact their own crimes code?” Langerholc asked others in the Senate. “It is ours to decide, not the municipalities.”

The bill also states that any person adversely affected by any manner of “ordinance, resolution, rule, practice or other action promulgated or enforced” can seek relief in damages that will be paid to the plaintiff if providing written notice within 60 days.

The bill is the companion legislation of SB 448, which was sponsored by Langerholc.

Those who oppose the bills say that this opens the doors for municipalities to be sued by organizations like the NRA, Langerholc said. In answer to that, he replied, “You’re darn right it does, and it should.” He said this might be what is needed to get the attention of municipalities.

“If we were so concerned about allowing third parties the right for standing, would we then restrict the League of Women Voters or the ACLU the right to sue our Commonwealth?” he inquired. “If that is the sentiment I will introduce that bill tomorrow.”

Langerholc said Philadelphia has the strictest gun laws in the state, but the city still has seen an increase in homicides, leaving him to ask, “How does that work?”

Opponents also point to the data that shows homicides on the rise throughout the city this year.

According to data from the Office of the Controller for the city of Philadelphia, there have been 44 homicides in 2022, which is an increase of 12% from last year. As of Jan. 30, there were 146 nonfatal and 37 fatal shooting victims, and the city has an app that maps the victims of gun violence. Of the shooting victims, 86% were men and 76% were black. The most affected age range is between 18-30, at 48%. Second are those ages 31-45, at 33%. Also, 15 shootings of minors were reported, 8% of incidents.