Push to pass gun permit bill rises following Del. State of the State Address

DELAWARE – Gun Control groups are doubling down on their efforts to pass a permit to purchase bill in Delaware, on the heels of Governor John Carney’s State of the State address where he expressed support for the measure.

The bill, known as Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2 would ” Creates an application process to obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit to authorize the purchase of a handgun. While an applicant will incur costs related to fingerprinting and required training, a fee will not be charged to obtain the permit. A holder of a valid concealed carry permit, a qualified law-enforcement officer, and a qualified retired law-enforcement officer are not required to obtain or present a handgun qualified purchaser permit,” according to the language of the legislation.

This year the math favors the gun control advocates- with more democrats than before in the house chamber, but still a tough vote to get those who are hesitant to support gun control legislation to move forward with this bill that would end so-called straw purchases.

Advocates say it’s those sales that see those guns end up in the hands of juveniles who then commit crimes and are hoping to bring more lawmakers to the table, calling the governor’s address a key piece of that pressure campaign.

“Guns are the number one killer of children and teens, there have been too many guns that are popping up in incidents across the state, I would hope that our lawmakers would also join together to make this a priority for safety, for keeping our communities safe and recognize this is about responsible gun ownership,” said DE Moms Demand Action Volunteer Anne McWalter.

Now the group says they are planning more events, sit-ins, and more, to help keep the pressure on moderate Republicans and Democrats in the House to pass the bill.