by Justin Opinion
We expected to see outrageous government overreach in California and New York. We would almost have been shocked if our neighbors in New Jersey hadn’t gone immediately into Gestapo mode. But it is both disappointing and infuriating for good, law-abiding Delawareans to see our Governor and his administration fall right into goose-step with them. I’m talking about the use of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak as a vehicle to move forward with their long-held desires to strip citizens of the First State of essential and protected freedoms.
Governor Carney has declared Delaware’s gun stores to be non-essential and has ordered them closed. Tell the single mother who is worried about how she is going to protect her family if things get worse, supply chains continue to fail, and the predictable fear and uncertainly sets in – that she cannot purchase that firearm she wants, or ammunition for one she has. The danger is compounded by the obvious fact that should such societal stress occur – law enforcement will be stretched incredibly thin – and that is even if none of them contract the virus.
In addition to the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment, which is as simple and plain as can be – Delaware has an even more explicit protection for the people’s right to keep and bear arms in our state constitution.
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Delaware State Constitution… Article 1
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20. Right to keep and bear arms.
Section 20. A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and State, and for hunting and recreational use.
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What is more, there is a specific provision to prevent the state government from using a declared emergency to circumvent this:
Title 20… chapter 31
(c) During an emergency or disaster:
(1) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as granting the power to suspend or limit the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms for defense of self, family, home and State as guaranteed by article I, § 20 of the Delaware Constitution; and
(2) Nothing contained in this section shall prevent law-abiding citizens, during such emergency or disaster, from taking reasonable steps to safeguard their arms from destruction, looting or theft, including but not limited to their removal of such items from areas of danger to locations of relative safety.
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The mantra of left-wing government and their partners in the media is, “never let a crisis go to waste”, and they are doing everything to take full advantage of what they see as a gift. In confusing contrast, flower stores are considered “essential” and remain open. As are liquor stores. I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, but I think my Glock is bit more important to me in a time of crisis. We need to ask the Governor to provide a rationale for these assignments of favor, which what they seem to be. More likely, it is an opportunity to further an ideological and political agenda.
There is reporting on social media that a number of gun stores in the state have been given notice, or visited by Delaware State Police and told that they will be fined and forcibly closed. Please let that sink in. Delaware has a law that all firearms transfers, with certain exceptions, must take place in the presence of an FFL dealer and perform the same background check that a retail purchase requires. This means that this administration is essentially freezing all possibilities for the legal transfer of firearms. There is also an overlooked safety concern. In the past 10 days or so, there has been a predictable run on guns – with most display cases being emptied out. According to every store owner and clerk I’ve heard from, over half of those purchases were first-time gun buyers. And that’s a conservative estimate. When those new gun owners have a question about how their new gun works, how to properly load or unload it, how to safely handle and store it – they are most likely to try and contact the gun store where they purchased it for help and advice. Except no one will answer the phone. Another reason that, “for your safety”, is never really for your safety.
Our neighbor to the north, Pennsylvania had a similar decree in place ordering the closure of gun stores as non-essential – but the Keystone State’s Gov. Wolf has apparently reversed that ruling and replace the closure order with a set of guidelines for moderating the flow of people and controlling interpersonal contact – while being able to serve customers. Illinois (of all places) specifically ‘firearm and ammunition suppliers’ as essential businesses.
The bottom line is this: Closing Delaware’s gun stores is wrong. It is an illegal action being taken by an administration that seems more interested in ideological victories than fulfillment of its obligations to its people. It is the indefinite suspension of constitutionally protected right. And it puts Delawareans at risk. We deserve better – we need to demand better.