Feb. 03, 2022
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf today vetoed legislation authored by Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) that would have better protected Pennsylvanians’ Second Amendment rights.
“Once again, this governor has failed to live up to his oath to ‘support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth,’” Dowling said. “By vetoing this bill, the governor has put the Second Amendment rights of every citizen in jeopardy, effectively encouraging communities to continue enacting illegal gun control measures.”
Dowling noted existing law is on the side of Second Amendment advocates, as municipalities across the Commonwealth are prohibited by law from enacting their own gun ordinances. However, some have chosen to defy that law.
House Bill 979 would have helped to deter implementation of illegal ordinances by holding offending jurisdictions financially responsible for attorney fees and costs, as well as any lost income, for a person who successfully challenges such an ordinance.
“While frustrated by the governor’s actions today, it comes as no surprise,” Dowling said. “We will continue this fight in the days ahead.”
Representative Matthew Dowling
51st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives