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Article: 84365 of talk.politics.guns
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns
From: [k f b 1] at [ns1.cc.lehigh.edu] (KARL FRIEDRICH BLOSS)
Subject: Small victory in PA
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 1994 21:13:36 GMT

>From the Allentown Morning Call & Associated Press (reprinted w/o permission)

Harrisburg [PA] - The state House last night backed off its December vote to
ban 15 types of assault weapons statewide and approved a plan that would
overturn existing controls in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
   Through a procedural move, the House dropped the assault weapon ban from
a pending bill and went back to language that focuses on prohibiting local
governments from controlling guns.
   The amendment vote was 126-72, and the whole bill was approved 134-63.
   "For the most part we were very ignorant of how people feel about their
guns and their weapons in the rural parts of Pennsylvania," said Rep. Robert
E. Belfanti Jr, D-Northumberland.
   "To punish the entire state would be okey if we would remedy their
problem," he said.  "This bill with the amendment would not remedy their
problem."
   Belfanti said banning weapons from legitimate sportsmen and gun owners
would do little to stop crime.
   "When we start getting to the roots of the problem...we may see a
reduction in crimes with weapons," said Belfanti, advocating tougher
punishment for criminals.
[...]
   The bill, already passed by the Senate returns there for agreement on
technical changes.
[...]
   The House also removed a provision that would have increased the 48-hour
waiting period on handguns to five business days and have it applied to
assault weapons.
   Majority Leader Ivan Itkin, D-Allegheny, said the procedural move was
"downright regressive."
[...]
   "The issue here is preemtion," said Rep. Merle H. Phillips,
R-Northumberland.  "If somebody feels differently, let them introduce
separate legislation."

-- 
+=======================================================================+
| Karl F. Bloss, Systems Engineer  |"No, his mind is not for rent,      |
| Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.   | to any god or government.          |
| Telephone: (610) 481-5386        | Always hopeful, yet discontent,    |
| FAX:       (610) 481-2446        | he knows changes aren't permanent  |
| internet: [bloss k f] at [ttown.apci.com] | ...but change is." Rush-Tom Sawyer |
+=======================================================================+