Delaware Lawmakers To Pass Multiple bills Targeting Guns Before The End of June

By: Tye Richmond

Delaware could be going through some major changes in the coming weeks and months.

Lawmakers on Thursday announced plans to pass major gun reform in the final weeks of the legislative session, including banning the sale of assault weapons, limiting high-capacity magazines, and increasing the purchasing age for most firearms.

According to WDEL.com, “Gov. John Carney and Democratic leaders in the state Senate and House introduced the package–which includes a number of bills introduced on Thursday, June 2, 2022, and also lists some efforts that haven’t even had bills introduced yet–with the intent of passing the legislation before June 30, 2022, when the General Assembly adjourns.”

“We have an obligation to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like we’ve seen across the country from happening here in Delaware,” said Carney. “This is a historic, meaningful package of legislation and I look forward to seeing these bills on my desk this session.”

The package of gun safety legislation includes:

• Banning the sale of assault weapons (HB 450)
• Limiting high-capacity magazines (SB 6)
• Raising the age from 18 to 21 to purchase most firearms (HB 45
• Strengthening background checks by reinstituting the Firearm Transaction Approval Program (HB 423)
• Holding gun manufacturers and dealers liable for reckless or negligent actions that lead to gun violence (not yet introduced)
• Banning the use of devices that convert handguns into fully automatic weapons (not yet introduced

House lawmakers said the bills to ban the sale of assault weapons and raise the purchasing age will be heard in the chamber’s Administration Committee next Wednesday and will be voted on Thursday. The Senate has committed to passing these bills quickly.

Lawmakers plan to pass the rest of the bills by the end of June.

Later Thursday evening, President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass these similar provisions at the national level, specifically banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

“After Columbine, after Sandy Hook, after Charleston, after Orlando, after Las Vegas, after Parkland, nothing has been done,” Biden said his speech.

“This time, that can’t be true.”

This is a tremendous step for Delaware in my opinion and also, for the country, but it will be tough to get the laws passed. Mainly due to the sway of the NRA and other big corporations. These laws will make an impact and will be felt down the line.