DOVER, Del.- Some Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the recent approval of permit-to-purchase gun laws in committee, alleging that the process lacked thoroughness.
The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 2, mandates that Delaware residents complete an approved training course within five years before becoming eligible to purchase a handgun.
Advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action and the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence (DCAGV) have been urging the General Assembly to advance this bill to the House floor since last session.
Traci Murphy, DCAGV director, described this as "an incredible hurdle to clear."
However, following SB2's successful vote in the House Appropriations Committee, some GOP Representatives expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the process was rushed and flawed.
Representative Lyndon Yearick (R-Magnolia) expressed surprise at the bill's progression, stating, "It is really discouraging for the people of Delaware that the majority just decided to forego any public input, including the required traditional public hearing."
Yearick highlighted the exclusion of the committee's two Republican members, "the invitations must have gotten lost in the mail," he said.
Opponents of the bill argue that it encroaches upon Second Amendment rights. Concerns have been raised that if Governor Carney signs the bill into law, legal challenges are likely.
"It is going to drain resources from the state and private entities who would be defendants in the case because a permit should not be required to exercise a right," Yearick remarked. "Owning a firearm is a right, and the courts have consistently ruled in favor of that right."
In contrast, Murphy expressed confidence, stating, "They challenge every bill we pass in court, but those cases are often dismissed or not tried because we are passing robust, well-founded laws."
Highlighting the potential of the bill to reduce gun violence, Murphy added, "While the opposing side advocates for gun rights, the Supreme Court has made it clear that firearms shouldn't be in lawless and dangerous hands and the best way to do that is with comprehensive background checks."
SB2 is expected to be a priority on the house agenda when the General Assembly reconvenes Jan. 9.
Gun regulation laws have stirred controversy not only in Delaware but also in neighboring Maryland. In 2016, a Maryland law mandating safety courses, fingerprint submissions, and background checks for handgun purchases was recently deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.