Philadelphia enacted five new gun laws last week, which require owners of firearms to report lost or stolen firearms, ban assault weapons, restrict purchases to one per month, permits petitions to search premises for seizure of weapons and prohibits those subject to certain restraining orders to possess or receive a firearm during the term of the order.
However, according to philly.com yesterday, Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham believes the city’s new gun laws are unconstitutional. In addition, the story says that Abraham will not enforce the city’s newly-enacted gun laws.
Abraham is correct, and the Philadelphia Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. Sec. 6120 (Limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition), specifically prohibits Philadelphia County from enacting gun laws that regulate firearms in this way. The relevant provisions of that statute state: “No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth.” This issue has already been litigated in Ortiz v. Philadelphia, 681 A.2d 152 (1996) and the city lost.
You can also learn more about gun transfer crimes here.
Were You Charged with a Crime in Pennsylvania or New Jersey?
If so, I can help, and I’m not afraid of taking on tough cases, either. Put an innovative and experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side by contacting me at Shuttleworth Law P.C. for a Free Case Evaluation. Call 888-529-3486 or message me here directly to request yours today.