Senate Bill 29, or more specifically Senate Substitute Bill 1 to Senate Bill 29, which would have made it illegal for individuals to possess loaded, un-stored and active firearms outside of their homes while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, was just defeated in the Senate by a vote of 10 to 7. It takes 11 votes to pass a bill in the Senate. You will notice that there are four missing Senators, because the Senate has 21 members, and only 17 of them did their jobs tonight. Who are the four who decided not to vote on this bill?
Senator Harris B. McDowell.
Senator Bethany Hall-Long.
Senator Michael S. Katz
Senator Gary Simpson.
Now, Republican Minority Leader Simpson is a minor puzzle. Perhaps there are procedural reasons. But you would figure he would vote no. But I am flummoxed by the remaining three. Bethany Hall-Long is a nurse and a nursing instructor. So I guess she just wants more gun shot victims to treat. That reason might also apply to Dr. Michael Katz, MD, who is also a supposed friend to Progressives. I will be entertained by his explanation on not voting yes on this bill. And I sure hope the reason is not that the bill did not go far enough. I am a Progressive, but I am not a purist. I will take progress any way I can get it, one step at a time if need be.
As for the partisan make up of the remaining votes for and against, you will be surprised that it was not along party lines. Four Democrats voted no. They are Robert Venables, George Bunting, Bruce Ennis and David McBride. I guess out of those four, I am disappointed and surprised at McBride.
Two Republicans voted yes, and they are who you would expect: Cathy Cloutier and Dori Connor.
This is the first of Governor Markell’s gun control proposals to be defeated. Two others have passed the General Assembly and will be signed by the Governor: HB 48, which creates an exception to Delaware’s Mental Health Patients’ Bill of Rights for reporting information to the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and HB 46, which provides for the disposal of seized firearms. The remaining bill, SB 39, would close the “gun show loophole” by requiring firearms vendors to have a licensed firearms dealer perform a background check prior to the sale, delivery or transfer of any firearm at a firearms show. It is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee. To that end, Delaware’s Police Chiefs have encouraged the Senate to get off their buts.
So, good news gun loving Delawareans. Feel free to get drunk and carry a loaded weapon. The rest of us will run for cover.