Pennsylvania’s Republican AG Files to Overturn Pro-Gun Ruling

Pennsylvania is an interesting place when it comes to gun rights. Officials in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have a strong desire to see gun control passed, while the rest of the state doesn’t seem to want anything of the sort. Normally, it wouldn’t matter what these other people wanted because the two large cities would overpower them.

But they haven’t, for the most part.

And the fact that they have a Republican attorney general should help them hold onto gun rights in the state, right?

Right?

Oh, well, I guess not, since the Gun Owners of America are taking issue with his latest move.

In a shocking move, Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday filed a petition to overturn a pro-gun legal victory for 18-20 year-olds to carry firearms in Pennsylvania.

In Lara v. Paris, a three-judge panel on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Pennsylvania’s laws preventing 18-to-20-year-old adults from openly carrying a loaded firearm outside of the home during a declared state of emergency.

This was a clear win for gun owners in Pennsylvania, and litigation could have stopped there. But PA’s Attorney General, Dave Sunday, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by requesting an en banc review of the case.

…

I am flabbergasted by AG Dave Sunday’s actions. On his 2024 candidate survey, Mr. Sunday indicated that he OPPOSES laws that would take away the rights of 18-20-year-olds to buy and possess firearms. But AG Sunday’s recent petition for the en banc review does just the opposite.

This would put the case before an en banc panel of the Third Circuit, which obviously would put the case in jeopardy.

GOA notes that Sunday enlisted in the Navy after high school, meaning he was an 18-20-year-old in a position to be trusted with things far more terrifying than a concealed firearm. He should realize that people at that age can be trusted, responsible adults.

And they are adults, make no mistake.

Also make no mistake about the fact that just because someone is a Republican, it doesn’t mean they can be trusted to respect your right to keep and bear arms. That’s simply not how it works. Not universally.

And the fact that he’s tripping over himself to defend a law that treated legal adults under the age of 21 as if they’re second-class citizens is a prime example of a GOP member not being pro-gun or even anti-gun control. (Yes, there’s a difference.)

Unfortunately, Sunday just took office and has plenty of time left in his tenure. That means it’s possible many in the state will forget his animosity toward the right to keep and bear arms and how it applies to all lawful adults.

But I hope those of you in Pennsylvania won’t let it slip through the cracks. 

I suspect Sunday will make it easier by doing similarly with any other bit of gun control that happens to be on the books and gets overturned by the courts.

Remember, politicians can say anything during the campaign. It’s what they do that matters.

So far, Sunday’s actions aren’t inspiring this Second Amendment writer to place a lot of trust in him.