Congresswoman McCarthy introduced The Firearm Owners Responsibility Act, which will require reporting of lost and stolen guns to the police.

The legislation will require that gun owners report a lost or stolen gun to law enforcement within 3 days (72 hours) from discovery of the firearm's loss or theft. Failure to do so comes with a penalty of a fine, or up to one year in prison, or both.

“I am introducing this legislation to help create safer communities and to assist our law enforcement with identifying illegal firearms quickly so they can get them off of the streets. This legislation is a win-win, because it protects the public and has no impact on responsible gun owners,” said Congresswoman McCarthy. “This type of legislation is past due; too many people have died needlessly, and too many guns have gone unchecked.”

Statistics confirm that most crimes committed with guns, are committed using illegal guns – obtained through trafficking, straw purchases, or theft. When police discover a gun at a crime scene, it is usually possible to trace it back to an original purchaser. Straw purchasers often rely on the “I lost it and forgot to report it,” loophole to get off the hook. Lost or stolen gun reporting would help seal that hole – with zero impact on responsible, law-abiding owners.

A 2008 study published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) reported that the seven states already enforcing a similar requirement show a 67 percent reduction in the number of crime guns traced back to within their borders. Mayor of Reading, Pa, Thomas McMahon, also a member of MAIG, says this legislation will help remove illegal guns from the streets and sees Pennsylvania on track to add similar reporting laws.

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