As the debate rages over whether Governor Tom Wolf’s opioid disaster declaration could infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of Pennsylvania citizens, Senator Scott Hutchinson (R-21) said he has introduced a bill to ensure responsible gun owners are protected against having their firearms confiscated during future emergency situations.

Current law allows the governor and municipal officials to ban the legal carrying of a firearm on any public street or piece of public property during a disaster declaration. The governor also has the ability to limit or suspend the sale of firearms during an emergency.

Hutchinson said Senate Bill 36, which was introduced in January of last year, would amend current law to preserve the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners by preventing state and local governments from banning the sale of firearms and the right to legally carry firearms in a public place during an emergency. Hutchinson introduced similar legislation during the 2015-16 Legislative Session.

“The controversy over the governor’s disaster declaration is another reminder of the need to prevent state and local governments from infringing on the rights of responsible citizens,” Hutchinson said. “Lawmakers need to take action to ensure the rights of law-abiding gun owners are protected.”