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House Judiciary Committee advances gun violence prevention bills

Philadelphia House Delegation    September 22, 2025

HARRISBURG, Sept. 22 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today announced that the committee has advanced a package of commonsense gun safety bills aimed at reducing gun violence, closing dangerous loopholes, and giving law enforcement new tools to keep communities safe. The bills now head to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

“With these measures, the Judiciary Committee has taken important steps toward protecting Pennsylvanians from needless tragedies,” Briggs said. “Gun violence continues to devastate families and communities across our Commonwealth.

“These bills represent thoughtful, reasonable approaches to reducing illegal trafficking, saving lives, and supporting law enforcement—while fully respecting the rights of responsible gun owners under the Second Amendment. I thank my colleagues for their leadership and their commitment to tackling one of the biggest public safety challenges facing Pennsylvania.”

The bills approved by the committee include:

House Bill 1099 (Prime sponsors: Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta): Prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of undetectable firearms, including 3D-printed weapons and those without serial numbers.

House Bill 1593 (Prime sponsor: Rep. Perry Warren): Closes loopholes by requiring background checks for all firearm purchases, including long guns.

House Bill 1859 (Prime sponsor: Rep. Jennifer O’Mara): Creates Extreme Risk Protection Orders, also known as “Red Flag Laws,” allowing courts to temporarily restrict access to firearms for individuals in crisis.

House Bill 1866 (Prime sponsors: Reps. Mandy Steele, Benjamin Sanchez, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz): Bans devices that convert semi-automatic firearms into machine guns (e.g. Glock switches).

Briggs praised the prime sponsors for their leadership on these bills and highlighted the committee’s dedication to advancing solutions tailored to Pennsylvania’s needs.

“As legislators, we have a responsibility to act when lives are at stake,” Briggs said. “These bills strike the right balance: keeping communities safe while honoring the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. This is not about taking away rights; it is about protecting lives. I urge the full House to act swiftly and send these bills to the Senate.”