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A Killing In Harrisburg

Gun Runners Get A Break

Another gun control measure took a lethal hit in Harrisburg — a proposal targeting illegal handgun trafficking

The modest proposal would have required reporting lost or stolen guns. Since that is not now a requirement, so-called straw purchasers — people who buy guns for sale on the street — can simply say a weapon was lost or stolen when used in a crime. A reporting requirement would place straw-purchasers within the law’s reach.

Who wouldn't want that?

Well, the National Rifle Association, which argues that the law could snare innocent citizens. And 125 state House members agreed. Among them were Bucks County’s Gene DiGirolamo, Scott Petri and Paul Clymer, all Republicans. Not surprising, both Clymer and DiGirolamo received A ratings from the NRA for their voting records on gun legislation. Petri’s a bit of slacker; he received a C-minus.

DiGirolamo bought the innocent citizen argument. He also said laws are on the books regarding illegal gun sales. We don’t need more. Plus, people who legally sell or transfer a gun they suspect will be used in a crime already face criminal charges.

He said the real problem is drug and alcohol abuse. That’s what fuels gun violence, he said, and he pointed to legislation he’s authored to attack that problem.

Clymer said we need fewer gun laws and more “traditional family values.”

Thanks, Paul

Petri called the measure ineffective, but also said it was flawed. Something about how selling or transferring a gun that’s used in a crime would be a lower-grade crime under the defeated measure than it is now if the accused claimed the gun was lost or stolen and if it was a first offense.

Got that?

We’re still trying to figure it out.

All we know is the bill would have given police and prosecutors at least a little more firepower in the war against gun violence. Maybe it wasn’t perfect. But couldn’t lawmakers fix it, instead of killing it?