Sean Lynn (D-Dover) has filed a common-sense bill (that does nothing to harm the rights of responsible gun owners). The bill will be reflexively opposed by NRA lackeys. We know the R’s that are in the pocket of the NRA (all of them), but which Dems will value their NRA bucks over their Delaware constituents?
We’ll see, but in the meantime Dan Short (R-Seaford), a bought and paid for NRA stooge, previews a flimsy NRA talking point: “This will not stop all gun crime, so we shouldn’t do it.”
DOVER, Del.- Gun owners whose firearms are obtained by someone who is not allowed to have one could face criminal penalties in Delaware under a proposed law filed in the state legislature on Thursday.
House Bill 63 would revise the criminal charge of “unlawfully permitting a child access to a firearm” to a “unlawful storage of a firearm.” The legislation states that the crime occurs if a gun owner stores a loaded firearm in a reckless or negligent manner that allows a minor or someone who is not allowed to have a gun to obtain the weapon.
The crime would be predicated on an unauthorized person actually getting a hold of the weapon and would typically be classified as a misdemeanor, though the severity of that offense could be elevated if the firearm is used in a crime.
Rep. Sean Lynn (D-Dover), the prime sponsor on the bill, said the legislation could prompt gun owners to take steps that would prevent someone who intends to commit a crime or mass shooting from obtaining a firearm.
“Either they’re persons prohibited, they’re felons, they’re mentally ill and they shouldn’t have had a gun. They often get a gun because of the negligence or recklessness of a relative,” he said.
A similar bill passed in the state House last year but stalled in the Senate.
House Minority Leader Danny Short (R-Seaford) voted against the proposal last year. He said HB 63 presents a reactive measure to gun crimes that may not necessarily prevent a tragedy.
“At the end of the day, what is the substance of the bill that will actually drive results?” he said. “I don’t think it does anything, really.”
