On October 20, 2021, Governor Carney signed into law House Bill 125, the ban on so-called “ghost guns” and 3-D printed guns.
On October 27, in an action captioned as Rigby v. Carney, plaintiffs John Rigby, Alan Knight and the Firearms Policy Coalition filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware challenging the constitutionality of HB 125 on First, Second, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment grounds, praying for declaratory and injunctive relief from enforcement of that new law.
The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association thanks the plaintiffs in this case for stepping forward in this matter. Their willingness to take the lead in this case allows the DSSA to shepherd its scarce resources for other matters that are on the horizon which will undoubtedly require everything DSSA and its allies can bring to the table in defense of the right to keep and bear arms in Delaware.
DSSA supports the efforts of the plaintiffs and wishes them success in challenging this constitutionally questionable measure. While these plaintiffs are litigating this case, DSSA will continue its efforts to repeal and amend the most draconian portions of this legislation during the 2022 Session of the General Assembly, and beyond, if necessary.
As you will remember, working with our allies and other like-minded organizations and individuals, DSSA attempted first to defeat this measure and then to remove unconstitutional portions of HB 125. However, last-minute behind the scenes, ethically questionable maneuvering resulted in the failure of those efforts. Once the General Assembly returns in January, DSSA will renew its efforts to restore the rights of Delawareans infringed by the passage of HB 125. Your assistance and support will be needed when that time comes – as always.
It is our hope that both our efforts and those of the plaintiffs in this newly filed suit will ultimately see success.