A Fight We Can WIN
Senator Vincent Hughes is Committed to Fighting Pennsylvania’s Gun Violence Epidemic
In the fight against the scourge of gun violence plaguing communities across the commonwealth, Pennsylvanians have a dedicated public servant in their corner.
Senator Vincent Hughes is committed to making the Keystone State a safer place for all.
The Senator’s continued legislative work and advocacy are a testament to his passion and lifelong dedication to combating the gun violence crisis.
Join the fight for safer and stronger communities, and commonsense gun laws.
It’s Time to Pass Commonsense Gun Laws
For years, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has been passing good, commonsense bills that could turn the tide in the fight against gun violence. Last session, these bills included measures that would establish universal background checks for all gun sales, as well as extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs)–also known as red flag laws– to keep guns out of the hands of those who present a risk to themselves or others.
Senator Hughes continues to urge his colleagues across the aisle to bring commonsense gun bills up for a vote in the Senate. These measures would save lives and are largely supported by Pennsylvanians – even legal gun owners, regardless of political affiliation.
Investing in Gun Violence Prevention Programs Works
As the Democratic Senate Appropriations Chair, Senator Hughes plays a key role in developing Pennsylvania’s budget each year. Throughout the negotiation process, he tirelessly fights for funding to address the issue of gun violence from all angles.
“We are investing over $150M in neighborhood based grass roots organizations to invest in our youth and to provide an alternative to gun violence. This is all new state money, and it’s the largest amount ever. The fight to stop gun violence must include investing in our young people.”
– Senator Vincent Hughes
One of those ways is by investing in community-based gun violence prevention programs. The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Program is a successful grant program, facilitated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), for community-based groups and initiatives working on the local level to prevent and reduce gun violence.
Senator Hughes works diligently on behalf of community groups to make sure they get the funding they need to do their vitally important work.
Two of those groups, Nicetown CDC and TechCORE2, described the impact of receiving VIP grants during a January 2023 news conference in Philadelphia, hosted by Senator Hughes.
Want to learn more about PCCD grants and funding for gun violence prevention? Click here!
Supporting Law Enforcement & Their Role in the Fight Against Gun Violence
Senator Hughes is committed to ensuring that law enforcement officials have the resources they need to investigate and prosecute gun violence.
In the past, Senator Hughes has played a key role in securing tens of millions of dollars in grant money for local law enforcement agencies’ investigations and prosecutions of gun-related crimes. He also helped secure over $100 million for police departments to update their equipment, hire new officers, and retain current officers.
Governor Shapiro continues to build investments in law enforcement by shifting to sustainable funding for the Pennsylvania State Police and investing millions of dollars of new funding for new trooper cadet classes.
Senator Hughes looks forward to continuing work with the governor and his administration to ensure Pennsylvania’s law enforcement agencies are well equipped to do their part in the fight against gun violence.
Senator Hughes is committed to ensuring that law enforcement officials have the resources they need to investigate and prosecute gun violence.
In the past, Senator Hughes has played a key role in securing tens of millions of dollars in grant money for local law enforcement agencies’ investigations and prosecutions of gun-related crimes. He also helped secure over $100 million for police departments to update their equipment, hire new officers, and retain current officers.
Governor Shapiro continues to build investments in law enforcement by shifting to sustainable funding for the Pennsylvania State Police and investing millions of dollars of new funding for new trooper cadet classes.
Senator Hughes looks forward to continuing work with the governor and his administration to ensure Pennsylvania’s law enforcement agencies are well equipped to do their part in the fight against gun violence.
Legislation to Save Lives & Make Pennsylvania’s Communities Safer
Legislation to Save Lives & Make Pennsylvania’s Communities Safer
Senate Bill 42
This bill would amend Title 18 to ensure 3D-printed firearms are subject to the Uniform Firearm Act and would ensure a 3D-printed firearm is considered a firearm. In addition, the legislation would prohibit anyone from printing a firearm without a license from the Federal Government to manufacture firearms. (Hughes)
Senate Bill 262
This bill would empower families and police officers to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from someone who is a threat to themselves or others. (Fontana)
Senate Bill 769
This bill would require gun owners to safely store firearms when not under direct control of the owner. (Santarsiero, Cappelletti)
Senate Bill 43
This bill would amend the Uniform Firearm Act to make it crystal clear that an undetectable firearm or a “ghost gun” is defined as a firearm. (Hughes)
SB 348
This bill would require lost or stolen firearms be reported to local law enforcement authorities within 24 hours. (Tartaglione)
Senate Bill 770
This bill would require safe storage of firearms when children are present in the home. (Santarsiero, Cappelletti)
Machine Gun Conversion Device Ban
This bill would prohibit the possession, use, sale, transfer, and production of machine gun conversion devices in Pennsylvania. (Tartaglione)
Senate Bill 47
This bill would amends the Uniform Firearms Act (“UFA”) to impose strict civil and criminal liability on any person, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer who knowingly and intentionally sells, delivers or transfers a firearm in violation of the UFA if that gun is subsequently used in a crime or attempted crime. (Hughes)
SB 559
This bill would prohibit the sale or possession of assault weapons for individuals under the age of 21. Members of the armed services would be exempt from this law. This legislation would bring Pennsylvania gun laws in line with Federal law regarding the minimum age of purchasing handguns.
(Kane)
Senate Bill 209
This bill would require firearm owners to carry liability insurance for their weapons. (Cappelletti)
Senate Bill 768
This bill would require gun owners to safely store firearms if a person who cannot legally possess a firearm lives in the owner’s residence. (Santarsiero, Cappelletti)
Senate Bill 798
This bill would require firearms to be checked in and safely stored at municipal buildings in the Commonwealth. (Boscola)
We Must Put the Guns Down
As Senator Hughes works in Harrisburg to address the gun violence epidemic, it truly takes all hands on deck to resolve this crisis.
He’s calling on members of the 7th Senatorial District and beyond to do one thing: put the guns down.
