Anti-gunner lawmakers in Pennsylvania are hard at work on a bill that could make it harder for gun owners to defend themselves from home intruders.
The bill would require gun owners to securely store their firearms when they are not in use. It advanced through a key House committee last week on a party-line vote. It now sits in the Rules Committee as lawmakers continue to debate the proposed legislation.
The bill was introduced on June 3, 2026, by state Rep. Tim Briggs (D-149), chairman of the state House Judiciary Committee. If passed, it would amend state criminal law to require residents to keep their guns locked in a gun safe or fitted with a locking device when it is not in use.
The requirement would be satisfied if the gun stays within close proximity to the owner for ready access while preventing unauthorized users from accessing it.
🚨 PA GUN OWNERS: HB 2244 threatens to turn law-abiding citizens into criminals overnight.
— GOA-Pennsylvania (@GoaPennsylvania) June 9, 2026
Watch PA State @RepGrimmKrupa stand up against this unconstitutional "safe storage" overreach in committee:
"This bill is unconstitutional. It's overly broad. It criminalizes ordinary… pic.twitter.com/inT2Xn4nBT
Violations of the bill would begin as a summary offense. It rises to a third-degree misdemeanor if the owner knew or should have known a minor or prohibited person was present at the time. The measure would impose civil liability on gun owners for any injury or damage caused by an unsecured firearm. Gun sellers would also be required to post a large notice warning of the storage rules and possible penalties.
Supporters claim the measure would make homes safer without hampering one’s ability to defend themselves. Briggs said, “We listened about the self-defense [issue].” This is a different version than last year… We tried to listen and we tried to implement [changes], but when we’re never actually having a real conversation about how to address an issue, it’s very difficult.”
Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta claimed he is “not against folks having guns,” but he’s “against this reflexive urge to say there’s nothing that can be done to make possession of those weapons more secure.”
They claim that not passing this law would make it easier for accidents involving children to occur.
Critics say the measure is unconstitutional overreach that could endanger gun owners during emergencies. State Rep. Rob Kauffman said, “Every burglary, assault, or act of domestic violence occurs without warning” and that “Victims don’t receive advance notice that danger is on the way.”
State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz argued that “Government has no business micromanaging firearm storage inside our homes or at all” and that “This is a very dangerous bill.”
Gun Owners of America Pennsylvania and the NRA have urged their members to contact lawmakers to oppose the bill.
This is why people who know nothing about guns or self defense shouldn’t be allowed to make policies that endanger people. Yes, just about every gun owner already agrees with making sure their guns are in a safe location — especially when kids are around.
However, when the government gets involved in mandating it, they only create more problems. If someone has to keep their firearm in a safe or other locked container, it means it takes more time for a person to grab their weapon if a home intruder targets them. These precious seconds could make all the difference when confronted with such a situation.
This is yet another example of a “Feel Good Law.” Lawmakers pass it because it makes people feel like the government is doing something to solve a problem when they are actually doing nothing of the sort.