Delaware gun control advocates confident Permit to Purchase measure will pass next session

DELAWARE – Delaware lawmakers attempt at creating a Permit to Purchase system for handguns didn’t reach the finish line this recent legislative session, but the fight may not be over.

Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2 was one many gun safety measures introduced, passing in the Senate back in May. The bill would have required Delawareans to complete a firearm training course and obtain a permit before purchasing a handgun.

The Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence says they anticipated movement with this legislation to be slow, primarily due to what impacts this could have on the firearm industry.

Despite that, they tell 47ABC they find comfort in the state’s commitment to reducing gun violence as Governor John Carney and the Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst have already announced their support for the legislation in 2024. “This is the promise we’ve been hearing for a long time. We knew that there were people in the General Assembly that were champions of this policy. By elevating one of those champions to the speakership we knew this would happen,” Delaware CAGV Director Traci Murphy said.

“Passing the law is just the first step to keep our communities safe and it’s not the final step. Implementing these laws with fidelity is the continuing part of the role.”

Murphy also says this piece of legislation is not only crucial to saving the lives of more Delawareans but could slow down movement in the iron pipeline and potentially stop illegal exports to bordering states.

The coalition says this piece of legislation could have Delaware see the same success in lowering gun related crimes as other states who’ve adopted similar policies.