Philadelphia Loses Lawsuit That Sought Greater Power For The City To Regulate Firearms

CBS Philadelphia

Novemebr 21, 2024

Philadelphia may not impose stricter firearms regulations than are authorized under state law, the Democratic majority Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, a blow to city leaders and others trying to address gun violence.

The justices ruled 6-0 to uphold the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the city, family members of gun violence victims and the nonprofit group CeaseFirePA. They wanted to invalidate so-called preemption laws that spell out that state law on the ownership, transportation, possession and transfer of guns trumps municipal gun safety ordinances.

Justice Kevin Brobson's majority opinion acknowledged the tragedy of gun violence and that "a serious problem exists" but said the court's role was not to decide whether laws passed by the Legislature are adequate to address the challenge.

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