Pennsylvania’s Nov. 3, 2026 election may have handed Democrats control of the governor’s office, the state House, and — for the first time in more than three decades — the state Senate. According to Spotlight PA, Democrats say they flipped four GOP-held Senate seats while losing one, a likely net gain of three seats against the Republicans’ previous 27-23 majority, which would put the chamber at 26-24. As of Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, the Associated Press had not called two of those races, and all results remain unofficial until certified.
Unofficial results also show Democrats expanding their state House majority to 108 of 203 seats, with nine races still uncalled, and Gov. Josh Shapiro winning reelection. Republicans have led the Senate since 1994.
How the process works from here
The current two-year session ends Nov. 30, 2026, and every bill that hasn’t become law by then dies. The new legislature is sworn in Jan. 5, 2027 (Spotlight PA). Any gun bill from this session would have to be reintroduced with a new bill number, referred to committee, reported out, and pass both chambers on floor votes before reaching the governor. The majority party in each chamber controls committee chairmanships and the voting calendar, which is why Senate control matters so much.
Bills from the 2025-26 session to watch for
- HB 1593 – private long-gun sale background checks. Would remove the current exemption for private sales of rifles and shotguns. It passed the House 104-99 on Sep. 30, 2025 (PA House Democrats) and did not advance in the Senate.
- HB 1859 – Extreme Risk Protection Orders (“red flag”). Failed in the House 101-102, per the Pennsylvania Firearms Association; the House Democratic caucus confirmed the ERPO bill fell short and filed for reconsideration.
- SB 200 – “assault weapons” and magazine ban. Has 15 Senate Democratic sponsors, including Democratic Leader Jay Costa (PFA).
- HB 2244 – firearm storage mandate. Cleared House Judiciary 14-12 and was later laid on the table (PFA).
- SB 209 – gun-owner liability insurance mandate. Sponsored by Sen. Amanda Cappelletti and cosponsored by Sen. Costa (PFA).
The Senate Democratic Caucus’s published priorities include “Ban assault weapons, implement extreme risk protections and expand universal background checks for guns.”
What to watch starting in January
- Certification of the uncalled Senate and House races.
- Who is elected Senate President Pro Tempore and who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Which firearm bills are reintroduced, and under what numbers.
- Committee hearings and votes, and any floor votes in either chamber.
Introduction is not passage. Every bill still has to clear committee and floor votes in both chambers, and narrow majorities leave little margin. Pennsylvania gun owners should follow the process closely and contact their own legislators as bills move.
Status as of November 4, 2026. This post is for general information only and isn’t legal advice.