PITTSBURGH – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has introduced legislation that he says will keep guns out of the hands of those who commit hate crimes. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act would prohibit the purchase, possession or shipment of a firearm by anyone convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime or who received a hate crime sentence enhancement.
The legislation would also prohibit the sale of firearms to anyone reasonably suspected to be guilty of misdemeanor hate crimes. Casey also called for other actions to prevent gun violence, including a ban on military-style weapons, limits on clips and magazine sizes, a ban on those on the terrorist watch list from purchasing firearms and universal background checks.
Senator Casey said, “If you have proven you will commit criminal acts based on hate, you absolutely should not have access to a gun. It’s common sense.” (Ali Stevens)
