Thank you for taking the time to contact my administration regarding my recent veto of Senate Bill 565.

 Each year, there are more than 1,600 victims of gun violence in Pennsylvania. These victims and communities deserve to have meaningful legislation passed to address the scourge of gun violence. This legislation, which eliminates the requirement for individuals to obtain a license before carrying a concealed firearm, will only exacerbate gun violence and jeopardize the safety of all Pennsylvanians. Removal of the licensing background investigation will hinder the ability of law enforcement to prevent individuals who should not be able to carry a firearm concealed from doing so. Domestic abusers and other dangerous criminals should not have the ability to carry hidden weapons in our communities.

 I would like to make it clear that this veto will have no effect on the 1.3 million Pennsylvanians who currently posses a legal license to carry a firearm.

 I support many public policy proposals that would address the urgent issue of gun violence, including safe storage legislation, extreme risk protection orders, enhanced reporting requirements for lost or stolen guns, and closing gaps in the background check system. Unfortunately, this bill would make gun violence worse and would put law enforcement officers at greater risk of harm.  The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association both oppose this legislation and there are no law enforcement organizations in Pennsylvania that support this bill. I stand with them, domestic abuse survivors and advocates, responsible gun owners, and victims of gun violence who have expressed their opposition to this dangerous bill.

 For up-to-date press releases concerning my administration's initiatives, please visit https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/, follow me on Twitter at @GovernorTomWolf, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/governorwolf, I also encourage you to visit any of Pennsylvania state agencies' websites for their daily press releases

Sincerely,

TOM WOLF

Governor

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