state rep aaron bernstine

Bernstine: House Sends Constitutional Carry Legislation to Governor’s Desk

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), a leading voice in protecting Pennsylvanians’ Second Amendment rights, voted with a majority of his House colleagues to send to the governor’s desk legislation that would no longer require law-abiding citizens to obtain government permission to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvanians’ Second Amendment rights is crystal clear that our right to keep and bear arms shall not be questioned,” said Bernstine. “Our current concealed carry permitting is an artificial government barrier to residents’ ability to protect themselves, their families and their property, and I am proud of my Republican colleagues today who…


Bernstine Stops Anti-Gun Amendments

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine’s (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) motion to table all amendments associated with Senate Bill 565 passed the House of Representatives today. The legislation proposes to preserve the constitutional right of legal gun owners by eliminating the requirement of a License to Carry a Firearm (LTCF) should an individual wish to possess or “carry” a firearm on their person in a concealed fashion. If passed, Pennsylvania would be the 22nd constitutional carry state in the United States. Bernstine issued the following statement: “These amendments seek to dilute and distract from our constitutional rights and therefore violate Article 1 Section 21…


Bernstine to Host Series of Town Hall Meetings

HARRISBURG – In his effort to stay in touch with constituents in the 10th Legislative District, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) will launch a series of town hall meetings beginning the week of Oct. 18. The schedule of Bernstine’s town hall meetings is as follows: Monday, Oct. 18, Ellwood City Municipal Building, 525 Lawrence Ave., Ellwood City. Tuesday, Oct. 19, New Beaver Borough Building, 778 Wampum New Galilee Road, New Galilee. Wednesday, Oct. 20, Taylor Township Building, 218 Industrial St., West Pittsburg. Thursday, Oct. 21, Wurtemburg/Perry Fire Hall, 425 Portersville Road, Ellwood City. Friday, Oct. 22, Slippery Rock Municipal Building, 155…


Bernstine Announces PennDOT Job Fair

HARRISBURG – Working to assist people in the 10th Legislative District who are seeking employment, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will be hosting a job fair on Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 3-7 p.m. at the Butler County PennDOT offices located at 351 New Castle Road in Butler. Those interested in a career with PennDOT are encouraged to attend the event to learn about the various seasonal opportunities available. District employees will be on-hand to answer questions regarding job opportunities and assist those interested with employment applications. “PennDOT offers competitive wages, a rewarding…


New Sunshine Act Changes Take Effect, Apply to Local Government, School Board Meetings

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today alerted Pennsylvanians to an upcoming change to the state’s Sunshine Act, which would increase transparency in government. The new provisions will take effect on Sunday, Aug. 29, and require public agencies, including municipalities and school districts, to post public meeting agendas at least 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting. The changes are a result of Act 65 of 2021, which was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf in June. Bernstine championed the measure in the House of Representatives. “With heated school board and local government meetings taking place across the state…


Bernstine Votes ‘No’ on State Budget That Increases Spending by 8.8%

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Beaver/Lawrence) today voted “no” on the state budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Bernstine issued the following statement citing excessive government spending led to his negative vote. “When it comes to spending taxpayers’ money, I don’t think we ought to look at a budget and say it’s not perfect, but it’s good enough. This budget is an 8.8% increase in government spending, and that will set the stage for excessive borrowing and tax hikes when President Biden’s bailout money disappears. This budget does nothing to help our struggling local businesses or help to rebuild our economy,…


New Brighton Historical Society Receives Grant Says Bernstine

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) awarded a $25,000 grant to the New Brighton Historical Society in Beaver County, announced Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence). “The society provides a valuable service to our residents and the state grant will go toward preserving the history and heritage of Beaver County, which dates back more than 50 years,” said Bernstine. “It is very satisfying to know that we are giving a significant piece of local history a new, fresh look. I was pleased to advocate for this important funding.” The New Brighton Historical Society has determined that the preparation and…


House Committee Passes Bernstine Constitutional Carry Legislation

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that his legislation which would no longer require law-abiding citizens to obtain a government-issued license to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania passed the House Judiciary Committee. Bernstine called the current concealed carry process a duplicative abuse of the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners. “House Bill 659 defends the rights of the citizens in our Commonwealth,” said Bernstine. “Those Pennsylvanians who follow the law each day should not be punished or hindered if they choose to carry a firearm.” Constitutional carry, or permitless carry, would provide a new system for concealed…


Bernstine Introduces Constitutional Carry Legislation

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today introduced “constitutional carry” legislation, which would no longer require law-abiding citizens to obtain a government-issued license to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania. Constitutional carry, or permitless carry, allows an individual over 21 years of age who has passed a criminal background check upon purchase of a firearm to legally carry a handgun concealed without first having to obtain government permission. Current law does not require citizens to obtain a license to openly carry a firearm in Pennsylvania. Bernstine, a vocal pro-Second Amendment lawmaker, called the current concealed carry process a duplicative abuse…


Bernstine’s Markie’s Law Bill Passes House

HARRISBURG – In the wake of the 2019 murder of a child in Lawrence County, the House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed legislation authored by Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders. House Bill 146, or Markie’s Law, was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of his minimum sentence for homicide, even after committing two separate assaults of other inmates while behind bars. “I applaud my House colleagues for approving this legislation,” said Bernstine. “My legislation will postpone consideration…