Bill Text: PA HR873 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the Congress of the United States to support the development of smart gun technology and mandate gun manufacturers to produce such firearms.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-10-01 - Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT [HR873 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR873-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 4114
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 873 Session of2012
INTRODUCED BY JAMES, V. BROWN, COHEN, KIRKLAND, MYERS, THOMAS, WATERS, WILLIAMS AND JOSEPHS, OCTOBER 1, 2012
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 1, 2012
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Congress of the United States to support the
development of smart gun technology and mandate gun
manufacturers to produce such firearms.
WHEREAS, A smart gun, also referred to as a personalized
firearm, is a firearm that uses biometric technology to restrict
unauthorized individuals from firing a gun; and
WHEREAS, There are unique methods used to personalize
firearms, including pressure sensors, fingerprinting and rings
or bracelets equipped with transmitters; and
WHEREAS, Smart guns utilizing an identification system of
gripping pressures or fingerprints become functional when the
grip or fingerprint of the user corresponds with the previously
programmed grip or fingerprint, which is encoded in a microchip
located within the firearm; and
WHEREAS, Firearms personalized with a radio transmitter
require the firearm user to wear a ring or bracelet containing a
programmed radio transmitter that activates the firearm to
become operational; and
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WHEREAS, During 2009, there were more than 5.5 million
firearms manufactured in the United States, but none of the
firearms manufactured were branded as smart guns; and
WHEREAS, In December 2002, New Jersey was the first state to
enact legislation requiring handgun manufacturers to sell smart
guns within three years of the firearms becoming available for
retail sale; and
WHEREAS, Firearms acquired by criminals or unauthorized
individuals may have devastating consequences; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, the Federal Bureau of Investigation
reported that 56 law enforcement officers tragically lost their
lives at the hands of firearms in the United States, and seven
of them were killed with their own weapons; and
WHEREAS, The use of smart guns may prevent law enforcement
officers from being killed in the line of duty should a
perpetrator take possession of an officer's weapon; and
WHEREAS, Smart guns may also prevent the number of accidental
shootings resulting from children discovering a loaded firearm;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Congress
of the United States to support the development of smart gun
technology and mandate gun manufacturers to produce such
firearms; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, to the presiding officers of
each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from
Pennsylvania.
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