DOVER – The House passed legislation Thursday that would add Delaware to a growing list of states that require residents to complete a firearm training course and obtain a permit before purchasing a handgun.
Under Senate Bill 2(S), sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman and House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown, most Delawareans could obtain a permit to purchase a handgun if they have completed an approved firearm training course in the last five years. Qualified active and retired law enforcement officers and anyone permitted to carry a concealed deadly weapon by the State of Delaware would be exempt from that requirement because they already would have been required to complete a firearm training course.
“Today, we took a huge step in making Delaware a safer and more responsible state by passing SB 2(S),” said House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown.
“In almost every aspect of our lives, people must undergo some version of training: to operate machinery, for medical purposes, to drive, to serve alcohol, and many other activities. Requiring people who want to buy a firearm to take a training course isn’t some undue burden; it’s basic common sense to learn how to safely load, use and store a lethal weapon, which will make both the gun owners and the public safer.
“I am deeply grateful to my colleagues in the Delaware House of Representatives for voting today to save lives,” said Senate Majority Whip Sen. Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, the prime sponsor of SB 2 (S).
“Senate Bill 2 is a common-sense public safety bill that is supported by a majority of Delawareans and a majority of Delaware legislators because we know it will both raise the level of responsible gun ownership in the First State and reduce the bloodshed we see in our communities on an almost daily basis, she said. “I respect that the House felt that some changes were needed to get Senate Bill 2 across the finish line and I am committed to getting their amended version through the Senate and onto Governor John Carney for his signature.”
Strong permit laws have been found to help prevent gun trafficking and the diversion of guns to criminals. States with strong permit laws are associated with 76% lower rates of guns exported to criminals.
A 2021 study found that 74% of registered Delaware voters support gun permit policies, regardless of geography, party affiliation or gun ownership.
“Today our State is a giant step closer to saving countless lives. At a time when the leading cause of death for a child in America is not car accidents, not disease, but guns, nothing should be off the table. And the data is clear: permit to purchase is the gold standard for gun safety policy. It reduces gun homicide, gun suicide, and gun trafficking by double-digits. We need it here, and I’m grateful to Rep. Minor-Brown for getting it through the House,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings.
“Gun laws save lives,” said Traci Manza Murphy, executive director of the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence.
“Requiring a permit to purchase a handgun will put critical time between the impulse to use a gun and the ability to do so – and it will make it a lot harder for guns to end up in dangerous hands and on the underground market. A strong majority of Delawareans support this policy, and today the House showed that these constituents are seen and heard. Our Coalition is so grateful.”
A House amendment added to the bill would extend the length of time a permit is valid and allow local law enforcement agencies to ensure the surrender or removal of handguns purchased with a revoked permit.
Another House amendment added to the bill would clarify what details the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) could keep regarding permit applications. It would also exclude application and permit information from being subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
House Republicans proposed several other amendments, however, the majority of these failed.
Rep. Minor-Brown contended, “While the proposed amendments from my House Republican colleagues were well-intentioned, they require further refinement and discussions. I appreciate the attention my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have given to this matter, and I look forward to continued collaboration with them on crafting sensible gun laws that prioritize the safety and security of our constituents.”
SB 2 (S), which passed with House amendments 2, 6, 10, and 11, heads to the Senate for final consideration.