Delaware: Committee Advances Handgun Licensing Bill

[Charlie T Waite]

Today, the House Judiciary Committee issued a favorable report to Senate Bill 3, to impose a Maryland-style “handgun qualified purchase card” and a handgun transfer registry. It now goes to the House floor for further consideration. Please contact your state representative and ask them to OPPOSE SB 3.

Senate Bill 3 requires prospective purchasers or recipients of a handgun to first have a “handgun qualified purchaser card,” which requires a training course. While those with a carry permit are exempt from the training requirement, they are not exempt from the license. The approved permits only last for 180 days each, requiring citizens to continuously apply for new permits in order to maintain the ability to acquire handguns. In addition, it requires information regarding prospective handgun purchasers be made available to state law-enforcement, and does not prohibit law-enforcement from retaining records of purchasers, and of the firearms purchased. This provision essentially creates a state registry of handguns.

As the nation’s leading provider of firearms training, NRA knows the important role that high-quality firearms education plays in the safe and responsible use of firearms. At the same time, NRA understands that gun owners are a diverse community with a variety of educational needs. That is why NRA opposes mandatory, and one-size-fits-all, firearms training policies that can act as a barrier to the competent exercise of Second Amendment rights.

Again, please contact your state representative and ask them to OPPOSE SB 3.