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Gun Rights

Representative Barletta is a strong advocate for our Second Amendment freedoms.  He believes that no free state can exist without the right to defend oneself.  He is committed to preserving and protecting the rights of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess, and use firearms.

The Founding Fathers wrote the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to enshrine the pre-existing right of individuals to keep and bear arms.  It states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

On November 16, 2011, with Rep. Barletta’s support, the House passed the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 (H.R. 822) by a vote of 272-154.  If enacted, this legislation would require states to recognize each others' lawfully issued carry permits.  This would enable valid concealed-weapon permit holders to travel with a concealed weapon outside their home states.  Rep. Barletta also co-sponsored this measure.  Presently, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 awaits action in the U.S. Senate.

Rep. Barletta has cosponsored the following measures that protect Second Amendment rights:

  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) Reform and Firearms Modernization Act (H.R. 1093), which would roll back unnecessary restrictions, correct errors, and codify longstanding congressional policies in the firearms arena.
  • Collectible Firearms Protection Act (H.R. 615), which would allow certain firearms listed as curios or relics to be imported into the United States without the approval of the Department of State or the Department of Defense.
  • Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act(H.R. 58), which would remove several antiquated and unnecessary restrictions imposed on the interstate firearms business since 1968.
  • Second Amendment Enforcement Act (H.R. 645), which would eliminate harsh gun control laws imposed by the District of Columbia after the Supreme Court’s decision in D.C. v. Heller (2008). 
  • Veterans’ Heritage Firearms Act (H.R. 420), which would provide a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members could register firearms acquired overseas between June 26, 1934, and October 31, 1968, without fear of prosecution.
  • National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 (H.R. 822), which  would amend the federal criminal code to allow a person who is carrying a valid government-issued photo identification card and a valid concealed weapons permit to possess a concealed weapon in any state as long as they abide by the laws of that state.
  • Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2011(H.R. 2900), which amends the federal criminal code to provide for reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms in different states by people who are not prohibited by federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and who are carrying a valid state license or permit for carrying a concealed firearm, or otherwise entitled to carry a concealed firearm in their state of residence.

For more information on gun ownership in Pennsylvania:

If you would like more information about this issue, please contact my Washington, DC, office.