While falling short on efforts to impose a ban on military-style weapons, the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence reported a successful year in its legislative efforts.
While falling short on efforts to impose a ban on military-style weapons, the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence reported a successful year in its legislative efforts.
A newsletter from the group pointed to Gov. John Carney signing legislation that included a “Red Flag” law for people who present a threat to themselves or others and a ban on bump stocks that emulate automatic weapons fire; tightening penalties for the illegal purchase of guns.
The group fell short on military-style “assault weapons,” and large magazines with opponents supported by the National Rifle Association, successfully claiming that the weapons and big ammunition clips that lessen the need to reload do not pose a major threat.
Delaware has not seen mass shootings with rifles from rifles during the recent spate of gun violence.
Delaware, despite the rural nature of much of the state having and a powerful sportsmen ’s lobby, also has the lowest rate of gun ownership among the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The legislation that did pass had broad-based bipartisan support.
However, some in the gun community were concerned that the red flag law could be used against some individuals and that taking away bump stocks weakens Second Amendment protections. Legislators did add due process provisions to the “red flag” bill.
