We hear all the time about the NRA’s bullying tactics. And it’s true. However, when faced with a Hall full of students demanding gun control measures, the NRA cowers in the corner. Legislators, take note. Schoolkids accomplished what you couldn’t/wouldn’t do for decades. All of the gun bills are out of their respective committees, and three of the four are on today’s agenda. Only the bill raising the age for purchasing weapons from 18 to 21 is not scheduled for today. No doubt being emasculated to avoid NRA ‘lawsuits’. Meaning, Pistol Pete is still vulnerable to NRA extortion. How about passing a clean bill and then having the AG defend the bill in court. Has that thought never occurred to anyone? Which reminds me. Jellyfish John could have chosen yesterday to introduce the assault weapons ban, what with students circulating throughout the Hall. He didn’t. Kids, don’t let up, keep at it. You are the courage we need.
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. The Senate confirmed several nominations, and that was about it.
Let’s first train our guns on today’s House Agenda. It’s basically a one-bill agenda, this bill, to be specific. A bill designed to keep/take dangerous weapons out of the hands of the mentally-ill. The Delaware Chapter of the ACLU has expressed concerns about the bill. From the linked article:
Specifically, the ACLU argues that the gun owner does not have the right to be present at the initial hearing, while a recently added provision would allow the order to force someone facing a mental health crisis to vacate their home if another occupant owns firearms.
“This is a constitutional infringement on liberty without due process,” the group wrote in letter urging committee members to postpone their vote. “Sixty days or longer with no hearing is well beyond the bounds of what the Constitution permits.”
Those concerns were not raised during Wednesday’s hearing.
Gee, maybe the Delaware Chapter could get someone down to Dover with a legislative fix rather than taking potshots via letter from afar? They do have a lot of attorneys as members. Not sayin’ they’re wrong, just disengaged.
We also have that Delaware City Charter change on today’s agenda, courtesy of prime sponsor Rep. PAL Longhurst. Will anyone question that mysterious provision we questioned yesterday? Doubt it.
Both gun-related bills that passed the House last week are on today’s Senate Agenda. One bill ups the penalties for straw purchases, the other bans bump stocks. I will be watching the bump stocks vote in particular. R’s Cloutier, Lopez and Lavelle are on the bill as co-sponsors, so the bill should pass. Looks like the only D vote in question is Ennis. Watch out for ‘clarifying’ amendments. Otherwise, it’s lookin’ good.
All in all, this could be a rare good day in Dover.