Pennsylvania House Bill HB1508

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/29/25
• Refer: 5/29/25

Caption

In sentencing, providing for sentences for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

Summary

HB1508 would create a new sentencing section in Title 42 requiring mandatory prison terms for certain convictions under Pennsylvania’s firearms-possession prohibition law, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105. The bill sets a minimum sentence of at least 11 months for a qualifying § 6105(b) offense, with an exception for offenders covered by § 6105(c)(3). It also imposes much higher mandatory minimums for repeat offenders: at least five years of total confinement if the person had a prior § 6105 conviction during the current offense, and at least 15 years if the person had two or more prior § 6105 convictions from separate criminal actions. The bill further provides that offenders sentenced under the new section must receive a maximum sentence equal to twice the mandatory minimum, and parole cannot be granted until the minimum term is served. It establishes procedures for proving the facts that trigger the mandatory minimums, including requiring certain enhancing facts to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and submitted to the fact-finder, while prior convictions may be determined at sentencing by a preponderance of the evidence. The bill also allows the Commonwealth to appeal if a court fails to impose the required sentence, and it takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Impact

HB1508 would amend Pennsylvania’s sentencing law by adding a new mandatory-minimum sentencing provision specifically tied to firearm-disqualification offenses under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105. It would constrain judicial discretion in sentencing for these offenses, increase incarceration exposure for repeat offenders, and create new procedural requirements for proving prior convictions and other sentence-enhancing facts. The bill would affect defendants convicted of prohibited-possession firearm offenses, prosecutors seeking enhanced penalties, sentencing courts, and parole authorities.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record is available for this bill, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or recorded support/opposition in the provided materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to reflect a tough-on-crime approach focused on firearm-related recidivism and public safety. Its mandatory sentencing structure suggests support from lawmakers favoring stronger penalties for prohibited firearm possession, while likely drawing concern from those opposed to mandatory minimums or expanded incarceration.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s mandatory minimum sentences, especially the escalation to five- and 15-year terms for repeat § 6105 offenders, and the reduction of judicial discretion in sentencing. Critics may object that the bill could produce harsh penalties even where circumstances vary, while supporters may argue that repeat firearm offenders warrant stronger punishment. Another likely issue is the bill’s use of prior convictions to trigger enhanced penalties and the Commonwealth’s ability to appeal below-minimum sentences, both of which strengthen prosecutorial leverage and limit sentencing flexibility.