Can Philly and PA get some Gun Laws with Teeth, Please?

One of the best things I respect about PA State Senator Vincent Hughes is that he doesn't mince his words. When he comes before TV news station cameras and invites all the media to a press conference he's calling, be sure you are going to get the 411 on what's really happening in Harrisburg.

- Thera Martin

Senator Hughes was joined by Senators Jimmy Dillon, Art Haywood, Tim Kearney, the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, and community leaders to call attention to two common-sense gun bills that are one step away from being signed into law by Governor Shapiro.

On Thursday, July 20, that's just what he did. He told the truth to the people of Philadelphia about where things stand with any action or inaction on gun laws with teeth.

House Bills 1018 and 714 would establish red flag laws and universal background checks in Pennsylvania.

Senator Hughes stressed the need for these commonsense gun laws and how a comprehensive approach can help in the overall fight to end gun violence.

"Nearly sixty days ago, the House of Representatives passed red flag laws and universal background checks in a bipartisan vote. Now, our Senators want a vote," Senator Hughes said. "The last time we were here at Mander Playground, we announced $150 million dollars for neighborhood-based violence prevention organizations. Those grassroots investments are making a difference, but we also need these laws that will help law enforcement and communities Stop the shootings, Stop the violence, and Stop the fear that too many are feeling."

Senator Hughes added, "The Governor is prepared to sign the bills. He has said he will sign them if they reach his desk. We want to work. These Senators you see here, we want to work. We want to pass common-sense gun laws.

We will also talk about ghost guns. Because we're ready to do that work too. And given the recent shootings where ghost guns are directly tied to those shootings, they clearly need to be ghost gun laws that need to be passed in Pennsylvania.