Fred Keller on Gun Control

Supports "stand your ground" expansion to self-defense

Opposition by CeaseFirePA:Pennsylvania amended its traditional law of self-defense to include a so-called "Stand Your Ground" or "Shoot First" provision. Under the Castle Doctrine, the duty to retreat did not apply in one's home. The 2011 amendment removed the duty to retreat when one is outside one's home. The law now allows a shooter to offer an entirely perception-based legal defense with next to no provable, factual elements upon which to base guilt or innocence. Now we really would have a shoot first law--a law that could be used to justify race-based killings & hate-motivated crimes where self-defense was a fallacy.

Legislative outcome:Passed House 164-37-2, Roll Call #189 on Apr/12/2011; State Rep. Fred Keller voted YES; Passed Senate 45-5-0, Roll Call #180 on Jun/20/11; Signed by Governor Tom Corbett on Jun/28/11

Anti-gun control, according to PVS survey.

Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Guns: Do you generally support gun-control legislation?' PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."

Voted NO on background checks for private transfers.

H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act: This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to gifts between spouses in good faith.

Heritage Action opinion to vote NO (Feb. 26, 2019): This legislation would require universal background checks for all firearm sales (even private). Unfortunately, universal background checks would do little to prevent firearm violence and would instead make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase, own, carry, and use a firearm. Studies show that universal background checks are largely ineffective when it comes to preventing mass shootings. In 19 of the most recent high-profile cases, the shooters bought their firearms legally and passed all the required background checks.

White House Statement (Biden's opinion to vote YES): Gun violence is a public health crisis. Every day, gun violence--community violence, domestic violence, suicides, and mass shootings--takes American lives and forever alters many more. Last year, we saw record levels of homicides in cities throughout our country. The Federal gun background check system is a proven tool to reduce gun violence and save lives. This system, called the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, has kept millions of guns out of potentially dangerous hands. The Administration encourages closing existing loopholes in this system [such as private transfers in H.R. 8].

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 227-203-1 on 03/11/2021 (rollcall #75); introduced in Senate with 36 co-sponsors; no further Senate action during 2021.