Hill, of Hunting Park, was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder in the death of Irving Santana. Police said Santana and two friends were breaking into cars on the 300 block of East Gale Street and that Hill caught them in the act.
The shooting highlights what police said is a loophole that allows nonresidents to obtain valid gun permits from three states - Florida, New Hampshire and Utah - even if that person's permit was denied or revoked in Pennsylvania.
In Florida, the application can be filled out online, and the permit granted through the mail. Officials estimate between 3,000 and 4,000 people in Pennsylvania have obtained firearms permits from Florida.
"When we, Philadelphia, deny someone the privilege of carrying a handgun based on something in their background, they should not be able to carry a handgun," said Philadelphia Deputy Commissioner of Police William Blackburn, who has testified in favor of a House bill that would outlaw the practice. "We would like to be able to reserve the right to make those judgment calls."
The bill, proposed by Rep. Bryan R. Lentz (D., Delaware) and in committee, would prevent any Pennsylvania resident not eligible for a state permit from using a permit issued by another state.
"This case really illustrates the problem," said Lentz of Sunday's shooting. "This is the exact kind of person that the permitting process is supposed to prevent from having a gun."
Hill lost his Philadelphia-issued permit to carry a weapon in 2005, after having what Blackburn described as a "significant contact" with police.
Blackburn would not elaborate on what happened between Hill and police, saying Hill's record has since been expunged. Court records show Hill was charged with attempted murder, assault and carrying a weapon without a license in 2005, though he was not convicted of any of those.
