I was troubled to hear of the Seton Hall University, E. Orange, New Jersey shooting last night. Having been denied access to the private college party, the gunman later returned and began shooting, killing one student and injuring 4 others. The gunman remains at large.
For those that regularly follow Community Matters, you are aware of my somewhat naive views on local gun ownership and support for gun control legislation. So you may find the following an interesting email that I received today from Daniel Pehrson, the Founder & President Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association concerning the discharge petition filed for House Bill 40, Pennsylvania’s Castle Doctrine bill. In order to get the bill to the House floor for consideration, this petition must be approved.
House Bill 40, sponsored by State Rep Scott Perry (R-92), would, “ permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. HB 40 would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.”
Important Castle Doctrine Vote Monday! We need your help to break through anti-gun tricks and get a vote on House Bill 40
Over the past year gun owners in Pennsylvania have made great strides in getting Castle Doctrine (House Bill 40), past all the anti-gun roadblocks placed in our way, and believe me, they’ve tried every trick in the book. On Monday, September 27, there will be a pivotal vote on a discharge petition, which would put a stop to all the dirty tricks from anti-gun politicians, and get us one step closer to an actual vote on the House floor. The Castle Doctrine bill that has wide bi-partisan support, and should easily pass if we can get this discharge petition moving H.B.40 forward.
Because of this we need you to contact your state representative and politely let them know you expect them to support the discharge petition and floor vote for H.B.40.
Your action on this matter is urgently necessary for us to pass these much needed reforms. Reforms that would protect law-abiding gun owners, like yourself, from prosecution and lawsuits should you ever be forced to defend yourself inside, or outside of your home.