Pennsylvania
With gun safety in Court, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania AGs stand for common sense – State of Delaware News
PHILADEPHIA — The Attorneys General of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania reiterated their support for common sense gun safety laws today as attorneys for the States of Delaware and New Jersey delivered oral arguments defending landmark gun safety legislation.
In Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association v. Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security, currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings is defending restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines (LCMs) against a challenge by extremist NRA-affiliated plaintiffs.
“The idea that the Founders envisioned anything like an AR-15 when they drafted the Constitution is a delusion,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These guns originated as weapons of war, were marketed based on their military pedigree, and have emerged as the clear weapon of choice for mass shooters at a time when guns are the leading cause of death for children in our country. The gun lobby’s continuing pursuit of blood money is appalling and flat-out wrong on the merits. We are proud to defend these laws.”
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, who led an amicus curiae brief supporting the Delaware statutes, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry also spoke in strong support of gun safety.
“I stand united with the Attorneys General of every state in the Third Circuit, and with 18 States across the country, because this madness has to stop,” said Attorney General Platkin. “There is no sane reason why ordinary citizens must arm themselves with the weapons of war—assault weapons and large capacity magazines—at issue in this case today. We urge the Third Circuit to affirm the district court’s conclusion that these commonsense restrictions are constitutional and are consistent with the Second Amendment. If Delaware’s laws can be struck down, then the public safety of all other states, including New Jersey, will be at risk.”
“Every tragic incident of gun violence across the country and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania means another family is left heartbroken and picking up the pieces from senseless violence,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “I stand proudly next to partners in Delaware and New Jersey as leaders in stating our case that the line has to be drawn between maintaining freedoms essential to Pennsylvanians and our obligations as chief law enforcer to protect children, families, and communities from further harm.”
The Delaware General Assembly passed the assault weapon and LCM restrictions as a package of gun safety legislation signed in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting, which claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, and left 17 others injured. The gun lobby’s challenge to the legislation was originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, where it was rejected by Judge Richard Andrews. The gun lobby subsequently appealed the case to the Third Circuit.
Delaware and the states argue in their submissions to the court that the District Court was correct in its assessment that assault weapons and high-capacity magazines represent unprecedented societal concerns and dramatic technological changes from the single-shot, muzzle-loading, flintlock firearms of the 18th and 19th centuries; that Delaware’s statutes are well within the country’s tradition of reasonable firearm regulations; and that LCMs do not meet the definition of “arms” in the Second Amendment.
In addition to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the states’ amicus brief for DSSA v. DDSHS was joined by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
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PHILADEPHIA — The Attorneys General of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania reiterated their support for common sense gun safety laws today as attorneys for the States of Delaware and New Jersey delivered oral arguments defending landmark gun safety legislation.
In Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association v. Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security, currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings is defending restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines (LCMs) against a challenge by extremist NRA-affiliated plaintiffs.
“The idea that the Founders envisioned anything like an AR-15 when they drafted the Constitution is a delusion,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These guns originated as weapons of war, were marketed based on their military pedigree, and have emerged as the clear weapon of choice for mass shooters at a time when guns are the leading cause of death for children in our country. The gun lobby’s continuing pursuit of blood money is appalling and flat-out wrong on the merits. We are proud to defend these laws.”
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, who led an amicus curiae brief supporting the Delaware statutes, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry also spoke in strong support of gun safety.
“I stand united with the Attorneys General of every state in the Third Circuit, and with 18 States across the country, because this madness has to stop,” said Attorney General Platkin. “There is no sane reason why ordinary citizens must arm themselves with the weapons of war—assault weapons and large capacity magazines—at issue in this case today. We urge the Third Circuit to affirm the district court’s conclusion that these commonsense restrictions are constitutional and are consistent with the Second Amendment. If Delaware’s laws can be struck down, then the public safety of all other states, including New Jersey, will be at risk.”
“Every tragic incident of gun violence across the country and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania means another family is left heartbroken and picking up the pieces from senseless violence,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “I stand proudly next to partners in Delaware and New Jersey as leaders in stating our case that the line has to be drawn between maintaining freedoms essential to Pennsylvanians and our obligations as chief law enforcer to protect children, families, and communities from further harm.”
The Delaware General Assembly passed the assault weapon and LCM restrictions as a package of gun safety legislation signed in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting, which claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, and left 17 others injured. The gun lobby’s challenge to the legislation was originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, where it was rejected by Judge Richard Andrews. The gun lobby subsequently appealed the case to the Third Circuit.
Delaware and the states argue in their submissions to the court that the District Court was correct in its assessment that assault weapons and high-capacity magazines represent unprecedented societal concerns and dramatic technological changes from the single-shot, muzzle-loading, flintlock firearms of the 18th and 19th centuries; that Delaware’s statutes are well within the country’s tradition of reasonable firearm regulations; and that LCMs do not meet the definition of “arms” in the Second Amendment.
In addition to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the states’ amicus brief for DSSA v. DDSHS was joined by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Pennsylvania
Digital News Publishers Launch Pennsylvania Independent News Association (PiNA) to Advocate for Local News Organizations – Saucon Source
The publishers of two dozen local news brands across Pennsylvania today announced the official formation of the Pennsylvania Independent News Association (PiNA).
The new Harrisburg-based organization is dedicated to bringing together digital-first local news organizations to strengthen the independent press, modernize laws and policies, and ensure the long-term sustainability of community news.
“The news industry is in a period of profound transformation, and digital news publishers need a seat at the table,” said Tom Sofield, PiNA’s president and publisher of LevittownNow.com.
PiNA’s mission is to provide these publishers with a collective voice, advocating for policies that reflect the modern reality of news consumers, local businesses and civic organizations.
An immediate focus for the new association is the reform of Pennsylvania’s outdated public notice laws, which currently prohibit digital outlets from publishing legal notices. PiNA seeks the right for qualified and established digital outlets to compete against incumbent print outlets and for local municipalities to choose the publication and medium that’s best for their communities. PiNA’s proposed amendment draws from similar legislation in Virginia that was signed into law in 2024.
“PiNA publishers have long been ready to compromise and find policy solutions that work for all Pennsylvanians,” said PiNA secretary and treasurer Davis Shaver, publisher of LebTown. “When lawmakers and local government organizations say they want the ability to self-publish notices, it’s a result of legacy newspapers treating the print monopoly over public notices as a profit center.”
PiNA’s position is that independent outlets can provide the third-party affidavits of publication required to demonstrate compliance with public notice mandates–an essential role of the notice process that would not be possible if agencies were allowed to publish on their own websites.
“We understand why self-publication is desirable, but it’s not the only way to provide urgently needed financial relief for the onerous print newspaper tax on public notices,” said Shaver. “We’re tired of waiting for legacy newspapers to disrupt themselves. Enough is enough, let’s move on.”
PiNA has already engaged with state legislators from across the Commonwealth. PiNA leadership said that the group has been encouraged to learn that its position has widespread support. In particular, PiNA commends Representative Robert Freeman (D-136) for his leadership on this issue.
PiNA represents a group of serious-minded news organizations and leaders. Its membership spans the Commonwealth, from the most rural area to the suburbs and to the neighborhoods of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. PiNA member outlets are read by millions of Pennsylvanians monthly.
“We are coming together to advocate for our staffs, our readers and common-sense policies–like public notice reform–that support a free and modern press,” said Sofield. “By combining our strengths, we can ensure that every community in Pennsylvania has access to reliable local news.”
The association will work to bring collaboration among the locally-owned Pennsylvania small businesses to share ideas and solutions for growth, technology and sustainable revenue models.
“We believe in the power of local news to build stronger communities and improve lives,” said Sofield. “By forming PiNA, we’re creating a base for independent publishers to thrive together.”
PiNA is focused on ensuring that high-quality, trustworthy local news is a permanent fixture in Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. The founding members of PiNA include Burb Media, EYT Media Group, Fideri News Network, Lazerpro, Lebanon Publishing Company, NCPA Media LLC and Street Light Media Group. The first associate members include West Hills Gazette and Saucon Source.
Member Outlets: AroundAmbler.com, CentralBucksNews.com, explore814.com, exploreClarion.com, exploreJeffersonPA.com, exploreVenango.com, GlensideLocal.com, HorshamNow.com, LebTown.com, LevittownNow.com, MediaPANow.com, MoreThanTheCurve.com, NewHopeFreePress.com, NewtownPANow.com, NorthCentralPA.com, NorthPennNow.com, PerkValleyNow.com, PhillyDaily.com, SauconSource.com, StateCollege.com, WestHillsGazette.com, WillowGroveNow.com, and WissNow.com.
About PiNA
The Pennsylvania Independent News Association (PiNA) is a trade association representing digital-first local news publishers. PiNA works to promote the health and sustainability of independent news outlets through advocacy, collaboration and innovation.
Pennsylvania
A gap in Pennsylvania law has put fire companies and county treasurers at odds over online raffles
Pennsylvania is another step closer to restricting cellphone usage in schools after the state House passed a bill on a bipartisan vote on Monday, June 1, 2026.
House Bill 1814 would prohibit students in Pennsylvania’s public schools from using or possessing a cellphone during the school day. Under the bill, students would be required to secure their phones in a way that prevents access until the end of the day with exceptions being for certain emergency and medical needs approved by school administrators.
The bill now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. The state Senate had previously passed legislation back in 2024 that encouraged school districts in Pennsylvania to start a pilot program that effectively banned cellphone use during the school day in an effort to improve the mental health and academic performance of students.
Governor Josh Shapiro and multiple Pennsylvania educators have also called for restrictions on cellphone usage in schools.
“Our children need this bill,” Rep. Mandy Steele (D-33rd District) said. “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get this bill to this point, but it’s been worth the effort. Research shows that unfettered access to devices is harming our children, and many educators tell me this bill is desperately needed. Governor Shapiro has urged the General Assembly to send him a bill banning cell phones in schools, and I urge the Senate to send this bill to his desk for the benefit of our children.”
Currently, at least 38 states and the District of Columbia restrict cellphone usage in schools, according to Education Week.
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