Staff Reports
In a deeply troubling development for supporters of the Second Amendment, Pennsylvania’s local officials are once again showing blatant disregard for the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently issued a stern warning to Pennsylvania’s Attorney General David Sunday and Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny, calling out their refusal—and that of other sheriffs and the Philadelphia Police Department—to issue firearm carry permits to out-of-state residents. This isn’t just a bureaucratic hiccup; it’s a calculated move that undermines the very foundation of Americans’ right to bear arms.
Bondi’s letter leaves no room for ambiguity: Pennsylvania law is clear that all adults over 21, including non-residents, are entitled to apply for a carry license if they meet the requirements. The law is “shall issue,” not “may issue”—meaning that if you pass a background check and pay the fee, you get your permit. Yet, numerous sheriffs are refusing to process non-resident applications, in direct violation of both state law and the U.S. Constitution. This isn’t just a technicality; it’s a direct assault on the privileges and immunities clause, which was designed to prevent states from discriminating against citizens of other states.
This kind of selective enforcement is exactly what Second Amendment advocates have warned about for years. When local officials cherry-pick which laws they want to follow, they set a dangerous precedent that threatens not just gun rights but the rule of law itself. The refusal to issue permits to out-of-state applicants is a textbook example of government overreach, where unelected bureaucrats and politically motivated sheriffs act as gatekeepers to fundamental freedoms. If they can ignore the law here, what’s to stop them from trampling on other rights tomorrow?
It’s no secret that anti-gun activists have long sought to undermine the Second Amendment by any means necessary—whether through new legislation or, as we see here, by simply refusing to enforce existing laws. The only thing standing between law-abiding citizens and the erosion of their rights is vigilance and a willingness to hold officials accountable. Groups like the Second Amendment Foundation and Gun Owners of America are leading the charge, but they can’t do it alone. Every gun owner and freedom-loving American must stay informed and be ready to push back against these abuses of power.
The situation in Pennsylvania serves as a stark reminder: our rights are only as secure as our willingness to defend them. When government officials overstep, it’s up to the people to demand accountability and insist that the Constitution be respected. The fight for the Second Amendment is far from over, and the events unfolding in Pennsylvania are proof that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
