Pa. lawmakers shoot own foot on gun control

So much for common sense, something that no one has ever suggested is in abundant supply in Harrisburg.

So much for common sense, something that no one has ever suggested is in abundant supply in Harrisburg.

Our esteemed representatives returned to work at the state Capitol after their extended summer vacation and, after another summer of unending gun violence, took up the notion of what its supporters say is common-sense gun control.

Obviously, not everyone defines common sense in the same way.

Actually, there was some progress to report during two days of Senate committee hearings and House committee votes. The House Judiciary Committee approved a move to more swiftly take away guns from someone who was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment. They changed that window from 60 days to 48 hours. Sounds pretty common sense to us.

Unfortunately, the day was dominated by what the Judiciary Committee did not do. They did not take up a push for expanded background checks, and they also turned their back on so-called red-flag laws. ERPO measures, that stands for Extreme Risk Protection Order, would allow courts to temporarily seize a person’s firearms after hearing testimony that the person is a danger to themselves or others.

And things got even worse after the hearing ended.

“We will not be considering red-flag laws in the House Judiciary Committee so long as Chairman Kauffman is chairman.”

That not-so-subtle quote comes from none other than Kauffman himself, who took to referring to himself in the third person.

The chairman took up the familiar mantra of those who oppose such common-sense measures, saying his focus will be on “making sure that guns stay out of the hands of criminals.” He is ready to stand a wary guard against any intrusion into a citizen’s Second Amendment rights.

“It is not about penalizing law-abiding citizens,” Kauffman said.

“So we did both today. We recognized law-abiding citizens and their right to bear arms in the commonwealth and enhanced that. We also addressed criminals, those who would harm someone else.”

Granted, both would certainly qualify as common-sense tacks. But what is troublesome, again, is what Kauffman and his committee did not do.

The House version of the redflag law was sponsored by Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery. A version in the Senate is being pushed by Delaware County Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown.

Killion took up the matter in the wake of a tragic shooting in Radnor where a young mother was gunned down in front of horrified customers and employees. Her estranged husband, with whom she has been involved in contentious divorce proceedings, has been charged with the crime. The couple routinely used the Wawa as a public spot to exchange custody of their son. Luckily, the youth was not with his mother on this occasion. The woman had obtained a Protection From Abuse order against her ex after he allegedly threatened to kill her, but had allowed it to expire.

The committee declined to take up red-flag laws, while it did OK a move to create a voluntary no firearm purchase list for individuals who believe they are a threat to themselves or others. But again it is voluntary, and the person in jeopardy is the person who must sign up.

The measure also tweaks some other features involving transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle, carrying a weapon during a state of emergency and rules on the use of Tasers.

The committee also passed another bill that would make it harder and more expensive for municipalities to defend their own firearms ordinances against lawsuits.

Gun rights activists have long opposed such measures in court, arguing such gun oversight is reserved solely for the state Legislature.

The Judiciary Committee’s action came under quick fire from gun violence groups and Gov. Tom Wolf, who referred to Kauffman’s action as a “blockade.” He also vowed to veto any measure that expands the grounds on which local gun ordinances can be overturned.

“Rep. Kauffman’s ‘promise’ of inaction is misguided and shameful, and he will be hearing from Pennsylvanians who expect more of their elected officials,” said Shira Goodman, executive director of CeaseFire PA.

No doubt they will be clamoring for the Legislature to take up “common-sense” solutions to our gun problems.

Even after another long, hot summer filled with mass shootings and random street gun violence, we hope they are not holding their breath.