HB 912 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for licenses.

PRINTER'S NO.   952

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 912
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY DAVANZO, COOK, KAUFFMAN, ROWE, STAATS AND
        ZIMMERMAN, MARCH 13, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MARCH 13, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous
 3      articles, further providing for licenses.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6      Section 1.    Section 6109(c), (d), (e)(1)(i) and (k) of Title
 7   18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended and the
 8   section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
 9   § 6109.    Licenses.
10      * * *
11      (c)    Form of application and content.--The application for a
12   license to carry a firearm shall be uniform throughout this
13   Commonwealth and shall be on a form prescribed by the
14   Pennsylvania State Police. The form may contain provisions, not
15   exceeding one page, to assure compliance with this section but
16   may not require or use references. Issuing authorities shall use
17   only the application form prescribed by the Pennsylvania State
18   Police. One of the following reasons for obtaining a firearm
 1   license shall be set forth in the application: self-defense,
 2   employment, hunting and fishing, target shooting, gun collecting
 3   or another proper reason. The application form shall be dated
 4   and signed by the applicant and shall contain the following
 5   statement:
 6            I have never been convicted of a crime that prohibits me
 7            from possessing or acquiring a firearm under Federal or
 8            State law. I am of sound mind and have never been
 9            committed to a mental institution. I hereby certify that
10            the statements contained herein are true and correct to
11            the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that,
12            if I knowingly make any false statements herein, I am
13            subject to penalties prescribed by law. I authorize the
14            sheriff, or his designee, or, in the case of first class
15            cities, the chief or head of the police department, or
16            his designee, to inspect only those records or documents
17            relevant to information required for this application. If
18            I am issued a license and knowingly become ineligible to
19            legally possess or acquire firearms, I will promptly
20            notify the sheriff of the county in which I reside or, if
21            I reside in a city of the first class, the chief of
22            police of that city.
23      (d)   Sheriff to conduct investigation.--The sheriff to whom
24   the application is made shall:
25            (1)    investigate the applicant's record of criminal
26      conviction;
27            (2)    investigate whether or not the applicant is under
28      indictment for or has ever been convicted of a crime
29      punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year;
30            [(3)    investigate whether the applicant's character and

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 1    reputation are such that the applicant will not be likely to
 2    act in a manner dangerous to public safety;]
 3          (4)   investigate whether the applicant would be precluded
 4    from receiving a license under subsection (e)(1) or section
 5    6105(h) (relating to persons not to possess, use,
 6    manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms); [and]
 7          (5)   conduct a criminal background, juvenile delinquency
 8    and mental health check following the procedures set forth in
 9    section 6111 (relating to sale or transfer of firearms),
10    receive a unique approval number for that inquiry and record
11    the date and number on the application[.]; and
12          (6)   not keep or retain information relevant to the
13    investigation beyond the initial application and proof of
14    approval for more than 10 days beyond successful issuance or
15    denial of license.
16    (e)   Issuance of license.--
17          (1)   A license to carry a firearm shall be for the
18    purpose of carrying a firearm concealed on or about one's
19    person or in a vehicle and shall be issued if, after an
20    investigation not to exceed 45 days, it appears that the
21    applicant is an individual concerning whom no good cause
22    exists to deny the license. A license shall not be issued to
23    any of the following:
24                [(i)    An individual whose character and reputation is
25          such that the individual would be likely to act in a
26          manner dangerous to public safety.]
27                * * *
28    (k)   Reciprocity.--
29          (1)   The Attorney General shall have the power and duty
30    to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states

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 1      providing for the mutual recognition of a license to carry a
 2      firearm issued by the Commonwealth and a license or permit to
 3      carry a firearm issued by the other state. To carry out this
 4      duty, the Attorney General is authorized to negotiate
 5      reciprocity agreements and grant recognition of a license or
 6      permit to carry a firearm issued by another state.
 7          (1.1)    The Attorney General shall seek to establish
 8      reciprocity agreements with every state and may not
 9      unilaterally withdraw from any reciprocity agreement.
10          (2)   The Attorney General shall report to the General
11      Assembly within 180 days of the effective date of this
12      paragraph and annually thereafter concerning the agreements
13      which have been consummated under this subsection.
14          (3)   The report concerning reciprocity agreement progress
15      between states shall detail the efforts the Attorney General
16      has made to establish reciprocity agreements with other
17      states, and for each state the Commonwealth does not have a
18      reciprocity agreement with, explain the reason why an
19      agreement could not be reached.
20      * * *
21      (m.4)   Violations by issuing authority.--An applicant denied
22   these rights shall be entitled to attorney fees and costs in any
23   action against the issuing authority to enforce this section.
24      * * *
25      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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