This week, the Delaware State Senate, in some questionably rushed and non-transparent moves, against overwhelming opposition, passed both of these bills. They are going to be headed to the House, which is currently on a two week Spring break. NOW is the time to call, email, and talk to your State Representative. Tell them you DO NOT support these bills and that you expect them to kill these bills! If they do not vote them down, you will not only not vote for them but will work to elect pro-gun rights candidates next election. You can find your legislator HERE by searching your address.
Senate Substitute 1 to Senate Bill 3
“Permit to purchase a handgun”
READ SENATE BILL 3 HERE
This bill would:
- Require a permit to purchase a handgun
- Each permit would be good for only 180 days
- Require that the application for a permit be filed under oath and in writing
- Require an investigation by Homeland Security – that can take up to 30 days – sounds like a 30-day waiting period – and there’s no penalty if they take longer, and you know they will – A RIGHT DELAYED IS A RIGHT DENIED
- Require fingerprinting – applicant bears the cost ($65)
- Require an extensive training course every 5 years – applicant bears the cost ($125-200).
- Course will require you to shoot at least 100 rounds (at today’s prices, that’s another $65-75 if you can find it)
- Create a searchable database and requires all information about you and your permit and any gun you buy to go into that database – that’s REGISTRATION
- Require FFL’s to send copies of federal 4473 forms to Homeland Security – a violation of federal law – more Registration – and we know why they want REGISTRATION, don’t we… only one reason…CONFISCATION – see below
- Allow Homeland Security to revoke your permit – without notice, without a hearing and without other due process safeguards – yes, you can appeal and by then it’s too late if you really need a gun for self-defense or home defense
- Calls for Homeland Security to come to your home and CONFISCATE firearms of those whose permits are revoked – again, no hearing, no due process
- Create a whole new bureaucracy within State government at taxpayer expense – (will this mean another tax increase?)
- 44.0 new full time state jobs
- $4,262,502 first year cost
- $3,601,256+ each year after
Senate Bill #3 is obviously designed to target the people these legislators hate the most, the working class, white male gun owner. But the sad fact is that the true victims of Senate Bill #3 will be the very people these anti-gun zealots claim to protect – The single mom, struggling to make ends meet working two jobs in need of protection from an abusive husband… The disabled vet living on a fixed income in public housing… The elderly woman living by herself in a transitional neighborhood in need of some method to ward off the drug- gangbangers and local felons who prey on her and her neighbors as a matter of routine…
Not only does Senate Bill #3 violate the promise of the right to keep and bear arms and the right of EVERYONE to defend self, family and home found in our own Delaware Constitution in Article I Section 20, but because of its economic (and time-requirement) impact it is inherently discriminatory against the poor, the elderly, and the disabled. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 92% of those living in poverty in Delaware are minorities which means this bill’s financial burden will have a desperate impact on minorities.
Senate Bill 6 with Senate Amendment 1
“Standard capacity magazine ban”
READ SENATE BILL 6 HERE
This bill would:
- Be a complete ban on all magazines in excess of 17 rounds – totally ignoring the fact that hundreds of thousands of 20 and 30 round rifle magazines are already owned by Delawareans and ignoring the fact to 20 and 30 round magazines are STANDARD for rifles.
- Creates a government confiscation plan to be offset by a so-called “buy-back” program that:
- May not be funded and
- If funded, would only pay $10 per magazine and
- If there’s money, the money is capped at a mere $15,000 or 1,500
It violates:
- Second Amendment of the US Constitution
- Article I Section 20 of the Delaware Constitution
- The “takings clauses of both the US and Delaware Constitutions
- Due Process requirements under both Constitutions.
Senate Bill 6 is unconstitutional – and they know it – and don’t care! Senate Bill 6 would devastate the competitive shooting community and the home defense community.