Anti-Gun Bills Goes Against U.S., PA Constitutions

October 3, 2025

Like so many of you, I have been a life-long gun owner. I grew up participating in competitive shooting and hunting. Millions of Pennsylvanians have done the same. We are responsible firearm owners. 

We exercise our right to bear arms for sport, for food and, yes, for self-defense. This right is enshrined in both the U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution. Article 1, section 21 of Pennsylvania’s Constitution says: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.” As elected members of the General Assembly, we took an oath to support and uphold both documents. 

Contrary to that oath, House Democrats called up four gun-control bills for votes this week, and I voted “no” on every one of them. Thankfully, three of the four measures failed by a bi-partisan vote of 101-102. 

The Red Flag law (House Bill 1859) would have allowed for a person’s firearm to be confiscated without due process. This is a clear violation of both the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions. House Bill 1099 would have ended the time-honored tradition of gun owners building firearms by limiting the types of materials that could be used to construct firearms and prohibited the right of individuals to build their own firearms at home. House Bill 1866 would have banned “a part or combination of parts designed and intended to simulate the rate of fire of a machine gun.” No explanation of what “simulate the rate of fire of a machine gun” meant was ever offered, leading to the potential for broad and misguided enforcement. 

The stated policy positions of each of these bills are already covered by existing state and federal laws, and enactment of any of these pieces of legislation would only curb the rights of law-abiding citizens.  

Despite the success in stopping the previous, unconstitutional bills, I am disappointed a bill to expand background check requirements to include private sales of long guns, such as hunting rifles and shotguns, narrowly passed. I am hopeful House Bill 1593 will not be taken up by the Senate. 

I look forward to continuing to advocate for and defend our constitutional rights.


Representative Chad Reichard
90th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepReichard.com / Facebook.com/RepReichard