PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia Monday enacted a new law that aims to take on illegal gun transfers, also known as straw purchases.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. (4th District), Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel, Chief Director of Public Safety Adam Geer, City Solicitor Renee Garcia, other City officials, and gun violence prevention advocates, signed into law Bill No. 241057, titled “Mandatory Posting of Warning of Unlawful Transfer of Firearm.”

The ordinance, which previously passed city council unanimously in June, now requires licensed firearms dealers within the city to prominently display warning signs about the criminality of straw purchasing.

Straw purchasing is when someone buys a firearm on behalf of another person who is legally prohibited from doing so, such as someone with a criminal record or underage buyers.

This ordinance was developed in response to recommendations from law enforcement and public safety advocates, who identified clear, visible signage as a low-cost but high-impact way to deter illegal purchases and educate the public.

Key highlights of the new law include:

  • Bilingual Warning Signs: All licensed firearms retailers must display a Straw Purchase Warning Sign in English and Spanish, with clear messaging in at least 30-point Helvetica or similar type on a fluorescent orange background. See the sign below:

  • Strategic Placement Requirements: Signs must be displayed within five feet of the entrance, near payment areas, at range entrances (if applicable), and by any area where purchasing documents are completed. 
  • City-Provided Signage: The Philadelphia Police Department will provide these warning signs free of charge to all licensed firearms dealers.  There are seven licensed firearms dealers in Philadelphia, police said.
  • Enforcement and Penalties: Dealers who fail to comply will receive a written notice of violation and have 30 days to remedy the issue. Continued noncompliance results in a daily fine of $2,000, considered a Class III offense. 

Jones, who introduced the legislation, worked with the Philadelphia Police Department, the Department of Public Safety, and the Law Department to craft the measure.

The Police Department will oversee sign distribution and enforcement, while the Department of Public Safety will coordinate compliance monitoring with local dealers. Together, these agencies will ensure the law is effectively implemented and that warning signs are prominently displayed across all licensed firearm retailers in Philadelphia.