Baker: Judiciary Committee Advances Constitutional Carry as Senate Sends Preemption Expansion to the House

HARRISBURG -- The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), advanced major pro-Second Amendment legislation today while the full Senate acted separately to strengthen statewide firearm protections.

Senate Bill 357 would allow law-abiding adults who are legally permitted to own a firearm to carry concealed without the need for a government-issued permit. The bill also preserves an optional License to Carry Firearms for reciprocity with other states and modernizes the permitting process by reducing investigation time from 45 to 14 days, updating terminology and removing outdated disqualifiers while keeping all prohibitions for individuals who may not legally possess a firearm.

"As chair of the Judiciary Committee, ensuring thoughtful review of legislation impacting both constitutional rights and public safety is a top priority," Baker said. "This bill reflects ongoing discussions about balancing those interests while providing clarity and consistency in the law."

The full Senate passed Senate Bill 822 -- a comprehensive strengthening of Pennsylvania's statewide firearm preemption laws. It ensures firearm regulations remain uniform across all 67 counties by firmly establishing the General Assembly is the exclusive authority over firearm and ammunition laws.

"There is a fundamental principle in Pennsylvania's system of criminal justice: Ignorance of the law is no defense," Baker said. "Yet a patchwork of local firearm ordinances, changing from one municipality to the next, would inevitably turn well-intentioned, law-abiding citizens into unwitting violators. Regardless of where one stands on the broader debate over firearm policy - whether believing our laws go too far or not far enough - everyone should be able to agree on this: Pennsylvanians deserve uniform, consistent laws across the commonwealth."

The bill clarifies any local firearm ordinance that exceeds state law is invalid and it establishes a clear legal pathway for citizens and membership organizations to challenge such unlawful restrictions. It also allows individuals harmed by these ordinances to seek damages and recover legal fees after providing proper notice. In addition, the bill directs the attorney general to notify municipal associations of the updated preemption standards.

Senate Bill 357 now heads to the full Senate for consideration, while Senate Bill 822 moves to the House of Representatives.