Background checks may be changed

HARRISBURG — A Pennsylvania legislative committee is about to consider whether to make changes to a new state law that requires background checks for people who work with children.

The House Children and Youth Committee today will take up a proposal designed to make the checks less of a burden so organizations don’t end up having to cut programs for children because of fewer volunteers.

The proposal limits the checks to those with direct contact with children who routinely interact with them.

It’ll make the checks apply for all types of work with children, so employees and volunteers don’t have to produce duplicate checks.

Man charged after his gun goes off

ALTOONA — Authorities have filed charges a man in the discharge of a gun in a central Pennsylvania cathedral during a crowded Easter vigil Mass two months ago.

Matthew Crawford, 29, of Altoona is charged in Blair County with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and discharging a firearm within city limits.

Crawford had a permit for the weapon, and he said the gun discharged accidentally in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on April 4.

But authorities said the weapon wasn’t in a holster, its four safeties weren’t on, there was a bullet in the chamber and a drop test indicated the gun couldn’t have discharged accidentally.