DSSA vows to file a lawsuit if Delaware gun permit bill passes

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association (DSSA) is speaking out after Governor John Carney and gun reform activists expressed support for legislation that would require a permit to purchase a firearm in Delaware.

The legislation, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2, would require a permit for all firearm purchases through a state mandated application process.

Support for the bill was ignited following Governor Carney’s State of the State Address on Tuesday where he called on lawmakers to pass the legislation.

The bill’s supporters, including Moms Demand Action, a grassroots gun reform group, argue that the bill becoming law will help reduce the number of juveniles who commit gun violence.

DSSA President Jeff Hague took exception with that notion Wednesday in an interview with 47 ABC News, saying it’s moot because juveniles can’t legally purchase a gun to begin with in Delaware.

“They talk about school shootings, they talk about kids with guns in schools and on the streets, juvenile delinquents and teenagers committing crimes,” Hague said. “You have to be 21, and have been for years, to be able to even purchase a handgun, and you cannot own a handgun on your own without supervision from a responsible adult.”

Hague went on to highlight several means that criminals reportedly use to obtain firearms, most of which are outside the scope of the legal process to obtain the weapons.

“Where’d they get them?,” Hague asked. “Many sources. In the City of Wilmington the theft of firearms is very high, you have people who can legally purchase firearms and hide their purchases and then they go out and they rent them. There’s a such thing as a community gun, you can go to a corner, several corners in Wilmington, and rent a gun for a few hours to commit whatever you want.”

DSSA and other gun rights advocacy groups argue that the legislation will not stop incidents of gun violence across the state and that attempts like this are merely political in nature.

“My sources and who I’ve talked to essentially say, it’s now not a public safety issue, it’s a matter of politics,” Hague stressed. “Promises were made, promises have to be kept, regardless of the efficacy of this legislation which we all know, by any credible research, this will not stop violence.”

Hague has vowed to file a lawsuit on day one challenging the legislation if it is passed and signed into law.

“I made a promise, anybody that will listen, the day the Governor signs it, if there’s still time and the courts are open, or delay us until the next morning, there will be a lawsuit filed against this case,” Hague said. “We’re ready to go if they choose to do this.”

The legislation currently awaits consideration in the Delaware House of Representatives.