By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
A bill which would have banned bump stocks in Pennsylvania failed by a single vote 100-101 on what has been described as a “near party-line vote” but there is apparently a chance the measure will be brought back for reconsideration.
According to WGAL News, an identical vote derailed a bill to require gun dealers to electronically report each firearm sale.
It was a setback for Pennsylvania anti-gunners as Rep. Frank Burns, a Cambria County Democrat, crossed the aisle to join Republicans in voting against the bump stock ban. Democrats control the House by a single vote.
According to the Tri-State Alert, both pieces were introduced “to allegedly help reduce gun violence.”
The vote came after proponents rallied at the Capitol, but one legislator, Republican state Rep. Bryan Cutler reportedly noted during debate that bump stocks are already prohibited. He told his colleagues that crimes are prevented by putting criminals in jail, “not by duplicating something that is already covered in federal law.”
Critics are calling this an embarrassment for the Democrat House leadership, whose power rests in a single vote, so they cannot be too confident with any legislation they push. Even if both bills had passed, there is some doubt they would not survive in the Senate.
Earlier this year, it became obvious that gun legislation would face major conflict in Harrisburg. With the nearly even split in the House, getting any extremist measure through would be nearly impossible, and any legislation still would have to survive the Senate.
According to the Franklin County Free Press, Rep. Burns voted against both measures “citing constitutional concerns.”
