DOVER, Del. - A state House committee is set to consider a bill expanding criminal background checks for gun purchases in Delaware to include sales between private sellers and buyers.
The bill to be considered Wednesday is part of a package of gun control measures proposed by Gov. Jack Markell in the wake of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.
Under current law, background checks are required for purchases from federally licensed firearms dealers, but not for transactions between private sellers and buyers.
Officials have suggested that some people denied guns from licensed dealers after failing background checks turn to private sellers to get a weapon, and that background checks would help keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons and others prohibited from having firearms.
