Rage Spreads In House Over ‘Castle Bill’ A man’s home is his castle. He
under the Castle Doctrine. HB 40
has the right to defend him-
would expand that right to include ve-
self and his family within
hicles and any other place the individ-
his home from intruders who intend to
ual has the right to be.
without debate. The amendments would have required a missing firearm to be reported to police within three days; limited the pur-
do harm, including, in some cases, the Cruz said that description is too vague
chase of handguns to one per month;
and could lead to escalated gun vio-
required Pennsylvania residents to
But a new law passed by the State
lence throughout Philadelphia and the
have a state license to carry a firearm;
House would vastly expand that right
state.
allowed Philadelphia to create an ordi-
use of deadly force.
into the streets, allowing shooters to claim as a defense they felt threatened by people they shoot. Many of the city’s State Representatives voted against HB 40, which broadens the definition of the Castle Doctrine. It is now on its way to the Senate.
nance on assault weapons; and banned “What Pennsylvania needs is better
assault weapons.
enforcement of laws regarding the use and sale of guns,” Cruz said. “This
Another amendment would have
dangerous legislation essentially
closed a loophole in state law that al-
amounts to a ‘shoot first, ask later’
lows people to carry guns with an out-
policy with regard to gun rights.”
of-state permit, even after being denied a gun permit in Pennsylvania.
This has State Rep. Angel Cruz (DKensington) worried, which is why he was among those voting no. He be-
Cruz noted the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association opposes the
“Despite efforts by me and my fellow
bill.
colleagues from Philadelphia, this reckless legislation passed the House
lieves HB 40, introduced by State
Several amendments were filed to im-
Rep. Scott Perry (R-York), would lead
prove the legislation, but House Re-
to more gun violence.
publicans used a parliamentary
Current law gives citizens the right to protect themselves in their own home 8 OCTOBER, 2010
by a vote of 159 to 38,” Cruz lamented.
procedure that allowed HB 40 to be considered without amendments, and THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
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