Harsher Gun Theft Penalties Pushed By Bucks Co. Lawmaker

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — State and local officials recently gathered at LugerMan Gun Shop in Langhorne to promote legislation that would increase penalties for gun store burglaries, using the site of a May 2023 break-in to underscore the issue.

Sen. Frank Farry, PA Attorney General Dave Sunday, State Rep. Joe Hogan, and law enforcement from Middletown Township appeared at the gun shop to discuss Senate Bill 916.

The bill would expand Pennsylvania’s heightened burglary penalty to include cases in which the intent is theft of a firearm.

The proposal mirrors existing state law that already applies enhanced penalties when controlled substances are targeted.

“Organized groups continue to target gun stores, and stolen firearms often end up fueling even more dangerous activity,” Farry said. “Our law enforcement agencies are out there every day working to keep our communities safe. We need to ensure they have the backing of strong, modern laws that reflect the realities they face.”

Sunday said collaboration between state and local agencies has been important in disrupting multi-county firearm theft operations, including what the announcement described as the takedown of a western Pennsylvania criminal organization targeting gun shops.

“We have seen an alarming number of break-ins and thefts at gun stores in the commonwealth — incidents involving dozens of stolen firearms, guns which are then transferred to street gangs and other bad actors,” Sunday said. “This legislation will subject offenders, including juveniles, in certain circumstances, to harsher penalties. The potential impact could go a long way toward preserving public safety.”

The bill also would allow prosecutors, in certain circumstances, to try juveniles as adults when they participate in gun store thefts. It would also increase penalties for organizers and co-conspirators who plan or facilitate gun store burglaries, and add penalties when stolen firearms are later used in other crimes.

“The only reason you would steal guns from a gun store is to facilitate more violent crime,” Hogan said. “Our legislation addresses a gap in penalties by increasing grading of the offense, allowing juveniles who co-conspire to be tried as adults. And should the stolen firearm be used in a different crime, add additional penalties.”

Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla pointed to the 2023 LugerMan burglary as a local example.

“As we saw here in Middletown Township, the quick and coordinated actions of law enforcement prevented 21 stolen firearms from being introduced into the illegal market,” Bartorilla said.

Senate Bill 916 is part of a broader package of crime bills, according to the announcement. The measure is currently before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

(State Sen. Frank Farry)