Why Is PA Trying to Criminalize ‘Secret Compartmen

Why Is PA Trying to Criminalize ‘Secret Compartments’?



The Pennsylvania House approved a bill Monday, by a vote of 114-83, outlawing the criminal use of “secret compartments” in vehicles, CBS Philly reports.

“Cocaine is being transported via the Pennsylvania Turnpike in secret compartments to be distributed in Philadelphia all over the city, and in New Jersey,” says the bill’s sponsor Rep. Kate Harper (R-PA). “The district attorneys’ association has endorsed this bill as another tool that they need.”

Well, that’s good. Because now that the state is one step closer to outlawing “secret compartments,” the type of people who traffic cocaine, weapons, and humans will stop using them, right?

“The bill would make it a crime to have a ‘false or secret’ compartment in a vehicle with the intent to use the compartment criminally,” CBS Philly reports. “A false or secret compartment is defined as an enclosure integrated into a vehicle that represents a modification of the vehicle as originally built by the manufacturer.”

I really do not see the NEED for Yet Another LAW ........ Possession and Transporting the DRUGS is already Illegal

WHY the New Law ........ what?,

.... they find cocaine residue in your tire storage compartment 'your guilty of a secret compartment' now we can confiscate your honda and hold you in JAIL while we go fishing or threaten to jail you for 18 months, so you will roll over on the 'residue' charge ......

House OKs ban on 'secret compartments' in vehicles


Rep. Kate Harper, the main sponsor, said the legislation would provide another tool for police trying to stop illegal trafficking of drugs, guns, money and even people through Pennsylvania.

The use of such a compartment with the intent of breaking the law would be a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It also provides for the possible forfeiture of the vehicles.

Yet Another Way to Illegally separate citizens from their property

[bcp (Premo)]

false or secret’ compartment in a vehicle with the intent to use the compartment criminally

is it the compartment or the use?
the way this is worded, I could still put a compartment in to keep my LEGAL in PA handguns in to hide them from someone that might want to steal them, or I could have intent to put my camera in it when I go into a store,

According to the wording, even if a compartment was found (assume its empty at that time without residue of drugs ) it would be a hard time convicting me on this law, first they would have to prove my intent.