Overview

• Five Republicans joined Democrats and three Democrats opposed to pass HB1593, extending background checks to all firearm sales, including long guns.
• Companion bills to establish a red flag process and ban ghost guns were each defeated 101–102 in the narrowly divided chamber.
• Under current law, background checks are required only for handgun purchases, with state police conducting about one million checks annually.
• Supporters pushed the package after recent high-profile shootings, including a York County ambush that killed three officers.
• Republican supporters were Joe Hogan, Kathleen Tomlinson, Kristin Marcell, Craig Williams, and Martina White, while Democrat Frank Burns opposed HB1593 and joined Republicans on the failed bills.