Pennsylvania House searching for a response to Parkland killings

Pennsylvania House lawmakers have completed their final session in a two-week series of Judiciary Committee hearings on gun violence.

They were inspired by the call for tougher gun laws in the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people.

Despite some agreement on the importance of the issue, lawmakers are struggling mightily with solutions.

They tangled over one proposal after another, from expanding background checks, to arming teachers, to mandating schools install metal detectors, to banning AR-15-style weapons

But Committee Chairman Ron Marsico said a few rare bills do have bipartisan support.

“Is there going to be a consensus?” he said. “I would think so, but I’m not sure. So, we have a few weeks to go through these bills with our members and with staff to see if we do have consensus.”

One of the most popular measures — pitched largely as a domestic-violence-prevention bill — would require people under restraining orders to surrender their weapons to police, not friends or family.

It has already passed the Senate.

Another would allow prosecution of those charged with attempted violent crimes if they carry firearms.

Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, noted that it would basically fix a legal oversight.

“House Bill 2275 simply does a drafting, easy fix,” he said. “But the consequences of this issue are very real.”

Following a review of all the proposed legislation, another hearing is set for next month, said Marsico, R-Dauphin.

This time, he is hoping to bring in members of the public to give testimony.