‘Castle Doctrine’ remains at a standstill

    A bill clarifying and expanding the right to deadly self-defense in Pennsylvania is one vote away from becoming law–but it’s facing a delay due to political turf wars.

    The House and Senate have passed identical measures, both referred to as “Castle Doctrine” bills.

    Right now, each chamber’s leaders are waiting for their counterparts to act next.

    Republican Scott Perry, who authored the House bill, told Second Amendment supporters to push for action.

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    “I would urge that you contact your legislators, both in the House and the Senate. And more importantly, your legislative leaders in the House and Senate,” he said during a rally of Second Amendment supporters Wednesday in Harrisburg. “And say, hey – look, put your egos aside. Perry’s willing to put his aside. Alloway’s willing to put his aside. Let’s just make this thing law.”

    The Senate bill was written by Republican Richard Alloway.

    Kim Stolfer, the chairman of the Firearms Owners Against Crime group, urged lawmakers to move forward.

    “We should not have to bargain for the right to bear arms, or the right to self-defense. Castle doctrine needs to be passed now,” he said.

    Gov. Tom Corbett has said he’ll sign whichever bill ends up on his desk.

    A similar measure passed the House and Senate last year, but was vetoed by then-Gov. Ed Rendell.

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