Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-07
WEAPON PERMIT
ISURGED BY DAIX
Senator Will Introduce Bill
Containing Provisions
in Legislature
To RESTRICT S A l. K 5
Rotan and Wilson Have Prom
ised Cooperation in Work
ing Out Law
To RESTRICT SALES

Senator Augustus +. Daix, Jr., will
introduce into the Legislature next week
his bill 10 restrict the sale OF small fire.
arms in Pennsylvania.
Tho bill will require persons who pur-
chase pistols, revo,vcrs or any other
small weapons TO take out a police per-
NIT.
The bill is designed 10 prevent ire
sponslble persons from obtaining fire.
arms and jeopardi1ing the lives of citi-
zens. Senator paiS was moved 70 spon-
sor such a measure following the killing
OF three persons and the serious injury
of five others on January - by George
Vincent Lembo, a supposedly demented
Italian.
District Attorney Rotan and Director
Wilson have assured Senator DaiX OF
their cooperation on the measure.
Tho bill as tentatively drafted by
Senator Daix is modelled to some extent
after the Sullivan law In New York IL
is not quite go drastic as the New York
measure, which is enmeshed In a maze
OF red tape.
Tavors Weapons for Protection
Senator Daix expressed the belief to-
day that with crimes so frequent. no
obstructions should be placed in the way
of citizens of good character who desire
to obtain a revolver for self-protection'
The following letter was sent by the
Senator TO District Attorney Rotan and
Director wilson:
II contemplate introducing a bill in
the Senate prohibiting the sale OF fire
arms TO any person without a permit
from the Department Of Public Safety.
l would like your idea on the subject
and would be pleased to receive any
suggestions from you.".
Director Wilson Immediately replied,
saying that he would be pleased TO CO.
operate in drafting tho bill Assistant
District Attorney Speiser called in per
son on Senator Daix for a conference
on the subject
Mr.. Speiser recommended that the
sullivan law of New York be followed in
tho proposed bill. Senator Daix how
ever. decided not TO make the bill quite
as drastic as the New York law.
The first section of the bill makes IL
unlawful for any person or corporation
to sell. loan or lease or give to any
person a pistol, revolver or small fire.
arm" without a permit from the Director
of Public. Safety or the chief or super
intendent of any police department.
Left TO Safety Head
A person wishing to purchase a small
firearm of any sort must make applica-
tion to tho Director of Public Safety,
and IL Is left TO the discretion of that
oficial as 10 whether or not the appl-
cant Is a fit person to have such weapon.
The dealer VINO sells a weapon must
keep n duplicate OF the permit for at
least two years. The permit is good in
the hands of the person purchasing a
weapon until revoked
Violations OF the act are punishable
by a fine of not more than 500. or
Imprisonment of not more than thirty
days or both.
Senator Daix expects TO submit ten
tative draft of the bill today to Director
Wilson and District Attorney Rotan for
their approval or for any changes which
they may suggest
Two other bills prohibiting the sale OF
firearms also are expected TO reach the
Legislature. Representative Neary, Of
the Seventh Ward, is preparing one, and
Representative Patterson, of the Nine
teenth Ward. the other. Neary put in
such bill two years ago, but it was
defeated.