Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker took a step to reduce gun violence on Tuesday by signing a bill that effectively banned bump stocks from being used, manufactured, or sold in the city.
It was one of three bills Parker signed, all of which were aimed at protecting the public and aligning with the mayor’s vision for “a Safer, Cleaner and Greener City, with Access to Economic Opportunity for All.” The other bills included the introduction of speed cameras on a high-volume street and the update of training requirements for eviction officers.
The bill, initially introduced by a Philadelphia city councilman in May, was a collaborative effort that was finally signed by the mayor on Tuesday. It modified a chapter of The Philadelphia Code entitled “Unlawful Manufacture of Firearms,” which added limitations “relating to rate-of-fire acceleration devices, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill defined a rate-of-fire acceleration device as anything used to “accelerate the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm,” such as a bump stock. The bill prohibits the production or manufacturing of “rate-of-fire acceleration” devices in any way. It also restricts the purchase, ownership, selling, or transferring of such devices.
“We will not accept gun violence, hazardous roads, or irresponsible eviction practices in our city. Today, I proudly signed three pieces of legislation reaffirming my administration’s dedication to enhancing public safety in our communities,” Parker said during a bill-signing ceremony on Tuesday.
“The bill helps to level the ballistic playing field so that police officers and citizens are not outgunned,” said City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr.
Parker campaigned on improving public safety in Philadelphia while running for mayor. She has made it an integral part of her agenda since taking office. She signed the bill just days after the Supreme Court reversed a Trump-era ban on bump stocks.
“When we have devices floating around Philadelphia like these so-called switch devices, which can turn a handgun into a machine gun, there is no time to rest and or to slow down,” Parker said.
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Despite this, Parker believes banning bump stocks was in the city’s best interest regarding public safety.
“We will not rest until order is restored to Philadelphia,” Parker said. “Today we take another step closer towards a Safer, Cleaner and Greener Philadelphia, with Access to Economic Opportunity for All.”
