Here's how U.S. Reps from Western Pa. voted on gun legislation bills

Congressional Republicans and Democrats in Western Pennsylvania fell in line with their respective parties as they voted on legislation that would enact stricter gun laws.

The Protecting Our Kids and Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order acts passed in the Democratic-led House of Representatives last week. The bills need to overcome a filibuster before the Senate can vote.

The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act would create a “red flag law” that would prevent people who pose an “extreme risk” to themselves or others from purchasing, possessing or receiving firearms and ammunition. Family members and police officers would have the ability to petition a court for the order.

The Protecting Our Kids Act would establish numerous gun-related regulations that include:

• Raising the purchasing age of some semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21

• Regulating the storage of firearms in homes

• Prohibiting the sale, import, manufacture, transfer and possession of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices

• Creating new federal criminal offenses for gun trafficking

• Regulating ghost guns, or guns without serial numbers

• Subjecting bump stocks to federal regulation

• Requiring the Department of Justice to report the demographics of those who cannot buy firearms based on background checks

The House passed the bills in light of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers, and the Buffalo, N.Y., shooting that killed 10 people in a grocery store.

Divide remains

Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, told the Tribune-Review that he is “sick and tired” of holding moments of silence on the House floor for the victims of gun violence when he said Republicans are “doing nothing.”

“I don’t know how many tragedies have to happen in our country and how many children have to get slaughtered before people … pass common-sense gun safety bills,” said Doyle, who represents parts of Allegheny County. “Military weapons belong in the hands of the military.”

Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon, said in a statement that the Protecting Our Kids Act aims to “prevent another Uvalde.” He urged the Senate to pass the legislation.

“These clear and simple rules will make it harder for criminals to get guns, and make it less likely that children will be shot while they are trying to learn,” said Lamb, who represents parts of Beaver, Allegheny and Butler counties. “These rules will not take away one minute of hunting or lawful sport shooting from anyone.”

The majority of House Republicans voted against the legislation, with five GOP members breaking ranks and voting in favor of each bill. None of the local Republican representatives voted for the bill.

In a statement, Rep. John Joyce, R-Altoona, said he is committed to finding “common-sense bipartisan solutions” to fight the causes of gun violence.

“That said, the legislation voted on in the House this week would not address the root causes of the recent tragedies, but instead would penalize law-abiding citizens,” said Joyce, who serves parts of Westmoreland and Somerset counties among other counties.

Joyce’s statement pointed to the need to improve school safety and address what he described as a mental health crisis.

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters, echoed similar sentiments in his statement, adding that the Protecting Our Kids Act would make self-defense attempts difficult and ban “many common and necessary firearms.”

“As a gun owner and staunch defender of the Second Amendment, I will always fight the left’s attempts to deny us our right to protect ourselves and our families,” said Reschenthaler, who represents parts of Westmoreland, Fayette and Washington counties.

Matt Knoedler, press secretary for Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, called both bills “unconstitutional.” Kelly, who represents parts of Butler County, supports the School Watch and Tactics Act, which would aim to develop best practices for school resource officers.

“We are looking for a more sensible approach that solves the problem without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens,” Knoedler said via email.

Rep. Glenn Thompson’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Thompson, a Republican, serves parts of Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties among others.

What’s next?

The bills await a Senate vote, where many onlookers believe the bills will die.

That’s because they need support from a three-fifths majority to bring them up for a vote. In the 100-member chamber, that means 60 Senators must agree. So 10 Republicans must step across the aisle to join Democrats.

On Sunday, however, a coalition of senators — including 10 Republicans — announced a framework for a bipartisan agreement that offers measured gun curbs and bolstered efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs.

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey has been a Republican voice of support for some gun-related regulations and was among the group of senators who announced the outline Sunday.