Introduced by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman in April and passed by the Senate by a vote of 15-6 in May, Senate Bill 2S 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 – the weapon most often used in Delaware gun deaths. Governor Carney says SB2S will be one of his office’s priorities in 2024.
“There is nothing more important than keeping our communities safe,” Governor Carney said. “We continue to make progress here in Delaware around gun safety. I look forward to working with the General Assembly to pass and sign Senate Bill 2 into law in January.”
New Speaker Valerie Longhurst also agreed to move SS 1 for SB 2 forward next year. “For the past decade, we have passed some of the most comprehensive gun safety laws in the country, making Delaware a leader by strengthening our background checks, closing loopholes, banning assault-style firearms and large-capacity magazines, and instituting red flag laws. I’ve been proud to sponsor many of these bills and stand up to the gun lobby,” Longhurst said. “I am committed to spending these next few months working with the Senate and governor’s office to pass permit to purchase when we return to session in January. This bill is the next piece of the puzzle to keeping our communities safe, and I’m looking forward to passing it into law.”
This might be the first notable change from her predecessor. Former Speaker Schwartzkopf did not like advancing gun safety bills.
“I am heartened by these commitments to get this life-saving legislation through the General Assembly in January,” Sen. Lockman said. “I am confident the new House leadership elected this week and Governor Carney are committed to getting this done and fulfilling the promises we have made to Delawareans.”
“Our Caucus has done everything in its power to end the rampant gun violence plaguing our communities and terrorizing families across the country,” Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola said. “While we are proud to have taken further steps to keep Delawareans safe today, we remain focused on passing a transformative Permit to Purchase law that we know will do more to curb daily gun violence in our State than any other measure.”
| Senate Bill 2S – Permit to Purchase Guns | Currrent Status – Senate Passed 15-6. House Appropriations Committee 5/18/23 |
| House Sponsors – Minor-Brown, Baumbach, Griffith, Romer, Morrison, Chukwuocha, Johnson, Longhurst, Neal | Senate Sponsors – Lockman, Townsend, Sturgeon, Gay, McBride, Pinkney, Sokola |
| House Yes Votes – | Senate Yes Votes – Brown Gay Hansen Hoffner Huxtable Lockman Mantzavinos McBride Paradee Pinkney Poore Sokola Sturgeon Townsend Walsh |
| House No Votes – | Senate No Votes – Buckson Hocker Lawson Pettyjohn Richardon Wilson |
| House Absents or Not Voting – | Senate Absent or Not Voting – |
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