SB 822 — An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition; and, in preemptions, providing for regulation of firearms and ammunition.

Bill Text

• Printer's No. PN0881 View text Current pdf

Compared against the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds provisions for individuals adversely affected by local firearm regulations to seek relief and introduces a new section establishing state preemption over local firearm laws.

• 18 Pa.C.S. § 6120

  (a.4) Relief.-- (1) A person adversely affected by any manner of ordinance, resolution, rule, practice or other action promulgated or enforced by a county, municipality or township in violation of subsection (a) or 53 Pa.C.S. § 307(a) (relating to regulation of firearms and ammunition) or 2962(g) (relating to limitation on municipal powers), may seek declarative and injunctive relief and the actual damages attributable to the violation in an appropriate court. (2) If a person adversely affected under paragraph (1) is a plaintiff who provided 60 days' prior written notice of the person's intention to file a claim under this subsection to the defendant, the court shall award reasonable expenses to the person adversely affected if the claim under paragraph (1) results in: (i) a final determination by a court in favor of the person adversely affected; or (ii) rescission or repeal of the challenged manner of regulation or enforcement after suit has been filed under paragraph (1) but prior to a final determination by a court. (3) If a person is a defendant in a proceeding asserting a defense under subsection (a) or 53 Pa.C.S. § 307(a) or 2962(g), the court shall award reasonable expenses payable by the county, municipality or township to the person if the defense results in the withdrawal or dismissal of the proceeding, an entry of nolle prosequi or an acquittal on the basis of the defense.

  This establishes a legal mechanism for individuals adversely affected by local firearm regulations to seek relief and recover expenses.

• 53 Pa.C.S. § 307

  (a) Preemption.--The General Assembly has always intended and continues to intend to occupy the entire field of regulation of firearms, ammunition, magazines, accessories, firearm components and ammunition components in this Commonwealth, including the purchase, sale, transfer, taxation, manufacture, ownership, possession, use, discharge, transportation and reporting of loss or theft of firearms, ammunition, firearm components and ammunition components in this Commonwealth, to the exclusion of any existing or future ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule, practice or other action adopted by a municipality. The Commonwealth, by this section, preempts and supersedes any manner of ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule, practice or other action promulgated or enforced by a municipality of firearms, ammunition, firearm components or ammunition components in this Commonwealth, and any such action is declared null and void.

  This establishes state preemption over all local regulations related to firearms and ammunition.

Action History

1. May 07, 2026

   Referred to Judiciary

2. May 06, 2026

   Third consideration and final passage

3. May 06, 2026

   Re-reported as committed

4. May 05, 2026

   Re-referred to Appropriations

5. May 05, 2026

   Second consideration

6. May 04, 2026

   First consideration

7. May 04, 2026

   Reported as committed

8. June 03, 2025

   Referred to Local Government

Sponsors

• Wayne Langerholc · Primary
• Kim L. Ward · Cosponsor
• Chris Gebhard · Cosponsor
• Lisa Baker · Cosponsor
• Kristin Phillips-Hill · Cosponsor
• Tracy Pennycuick · Cosponsor
• Jarrett Coleman · Cosponsor
• Camera Bartolotta · Cosponsor
• Daniel Laughlin · Cosponsor
• Michele Brooks · Cosponsor
• Patrick J. Stefano · Cosponsor
• Scott E. Hutchinson · Cosponsor
• Judy Ward · Cosponsor
• Gene Yaw · Cosponsor
• David G. Argall · Cosponsor
• Cris Dush · Cosponsor
• Devlin J. Robinson · Cosponsor
• Elder A. Vogel · Cosponsor
• Greg Rothman · Cosponsor
• Lynda Schlegel Culver · Cosponsor
• Scott Martin · Cosponsor
• Doug Mastriano · Cosponsor

Votes

Subjects