Legislation To Keep Guns From Domestic Abusers Signed Into Law

The governor signed a bill last week that is aimed at getting firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers.

Act 79 of 2018, which started as House Bill 2060, requires that those issued final protection from abuse orders or convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence would have to turn their guns over to law enforcement almost immediately; it would remove the option to turn firearms over to family members, friends, or neighbors; and extends temporary protection from abuse (PFA) orders if the individual is incarcerated.

The legislation was supported by Levittown-area state representatives Tina Davis, a Democrat from Bristol Township; John Galloway, a Democrat from Falls Township; and Frank Farry, a Republican from Langhorne. Area state senators Tommy Tomlinson and Chuck McIlhinney, both Republicans, voted for the bill.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill and called for addition reforms that he said will protect victims of domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is a scourge on our society and these reforms will go a long way to protect victims, hold abusers accountable and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals. I want to personally thank the hundreds of advocates and everyday citizens that made their voices heard and got this bill to my desk,” the governor said in a statement.

Wolf’s office said the governor also supports closing the so-called “gun show loophole” that could allow long guns to be sold privately without background checks.

The legislation signed last week received bipartisan support. However, some gun advocates cited it was the start of “anti-liberty, anti-firearm legislation.” The bill wasn’t condemned or supported by the NRA, but did receive support from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and gun safety and domestic violence protection groups.

“We thank the General Assembly and Governor Wolf for standing with victims of domestic violence. To finally see this life-saving legislation signed into law is nothing short of historic. It’s an extraordinary way to honor victims and survivors during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Susan Higginbotham of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.