Lawmakers Miss Opportunity to Better Protect Delaware Families by Failing to Pass Handgun Licensing Legislation

Washington, DC — Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, expressed disappointment in Delaware House lawmakers for failing to vote on legislation that would create an application process to authorize the purchase of a handgun.

“We are disheartened that this bill never made it to the Governor’s desk this session,” said Molly Voigt, State Legislative Manager. “The impact of gun violence on families and entire communities is devastating. This bill would have established a solution that is proven to save lives by implementing handgun licensing. We thank the Senate for advancing the bill in April, and urge Delaware lawmakers in the House to have the urgency to act on this bill in January when they are back in session.”

If passed, Senate Bill 3 would:

• Create an application process to obtain a handgun qualified purchaser card to authorize the purchase of a handgun. 
• Require that the buyer of a handgun present the qualified purchaser card before the sale or transfer is completed. 
• Require that an applicant complete a firearms training course, similar to what is required by Delaware’s concealed carry permit law, within the past 5 years.
• Increase information available to law enforcement, and thereby facilitate criminal investigations, by providing mechanisms for information collected at the point of sale to be transmitted to appropriate offices and agencies.

In addition to its demonstrated effectiveness, independent polling conducted in March of this year shows widespread public support for permit-to-purchase policies. More than 2-in-3 Delaware voters support this proposal, with broad majorities expressing ‘strong support,’ – including gun owners, Republicans, and residents of all three counties.

Delaware lawmakers did take steps to address gun violence this session, passing:

• HB 124 which prohibits those who have a pending criminal process for a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence charge from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a deadly weapon or ammunition for a firearm in Delaware
• HB 125 which outlaws unserialized, untraceable “ghost guns” in Delaware 

Permit-to-purchase legislation is an important priority, especially as we’re contending with rising violent crime. Of the many gun violence prevention policies supported by research, permit-to-purchase laws are among the most promising. Permits are highly effective in decreasing firearm homicides in other states, and Delaware has an opportunity to take this important step forward to curb gun violence.