Pennsylvania Gun Owners Urged to Push Senate Bill 822 Forward

Austin Reville
2 hours ago
3 min read

Second Amendment advocates in Pennsylvania are calling for immediate action on legislation that would strengthen the state’s firearms preemption law and hold local governments accountable when they attempt to pass illegal gun control ordinances.

The bill, Pennsylvania Senate Bill 822, has been sitting in the Senate Local Government Committee for months. Supporters say the time has come for lawmakers to move the bill forward and allow it to receive a vote.

Gun Owners of America and other pro–Second Amendment advocates argue that the legislation is necessary to reinforce Pennsylvania’s existing preemption statute, which clearly states that firearm regulation must come from the state legislature—not local governments.

What Firearm Preemption Means

Pennsylvania law already contains a strong preemption provision under 18 PA.C.S. § 6120, which states that no county, municipality, or township may regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms or ammunition.

In simple terms, the authority to regulate firearms belongs to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, not city councils or local governments. However, SB 822 would give the current law several enforcement mechanisms. This will help prevent certain municipalities to pass local gun control ordinances despite clear state restrictions.

Cities such as Philadelphia have repeatedly introduced firearm regulations that critics argue violate state law, knowing that challenging those ordinances in court can be costly for individual gun owners.

What SB 822 Would Change

SB 822 would strengthen Pennsylvania’s preemption law by giving citizens meaningful tools to challenge unlawful local ordinances. Under the proposal, individuals would be able to recover damages, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs if a court determines that a local firearm ordinance violates state law.

The bill would also protect individuals who are wrongly charged under illegal local gun ordinances by allowing them to recover legal costs if they are acquitted. Additionally, the legislation would allow membership organizations—such as Gun Owners of America—to bring lawsuits on behalf of affected gun owners. This change would help level the playing field for law-abiding citizens who often lack the financial resources to fight local governments in court.

Outside Influence in Local Gun Laws

SB 822 also shows the influence of national gun-control organizations in encouraging municipalities to challenge state preemption laws. Groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety have publicly pledged legal support to cities attempting to enact local firearm restrictions.

That support can leave individual gun owners facing well-funded legal battles simply to enforce existing state law. SB 822 supporters argue that strengthening preemption enforcement will discourage municipalities from passing illegal ordinances in the first place.

The Call to Action

Pennsylvania Senate Local Government Committee Chair Dawn Keefer (R)

The bill currently sits in the Senate Local Government Committee chaired by Dawn Keefer. Second Amendment advocates are urging Pennsylvania residents to contact their legislators and push for a committee vote on the bill.

Passing SB 822 would finally give Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption law the enforcement power it has long lacked—ensuring that local governments cannot continue to ignore state law without consequences.

Why It Matters

At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we believe laws protecting constitutional rights must also include meaningful enforcement mechanisms. Without accountability, even the strongest protections can be ignored. We here in Minnesota have state preemption laws on firearms that are under attack.

For Pennsylvania gun owners, Senate Bill 822 represents an opportunity to reinforce the rule of law and ensure that firearm regulations remain where they belong—at the state level, not in a patchwork of local ordinances that can confuse and criminalize otherwise law-abiding citizens.

Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube and Rumble channels and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.