Governor of Delaware signs gun control laws

June 14, 2013

By Jennifer Springer

DOVER, Delaware: Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed a gun control measure on June 12 that would require reporting of a lost and stolen firearm within seven days of the owner discovering a weapon is missing. The measure is aimed at eliminating “straw purchases” which involves individuals buying guns to be illegally given to those who cannot obtain one.

"Law enforcement tell us that straw purchasers have two main excuses when a gun they purchases ends up at a crime scene," Markell said. "Those two excuses are: I lost that weapon, or that weapon was stolen. We needed to eliminate these excuses."

Individuals who fail to report lost firearms will be subject to fines on the first two offenses, and every offense after that will be a class G felony.

This makes Delaware the eighth state in the nation to require citizens to report gun thefts.

The measure was one of five gun control bills his administration rolled out in January. All of them have faced stiff opposition. To date, only one other has gotten his signature, which significantly expanded background checks in Delaware in private gun sales.

Other measures would prohibit those with mental health issues from obtaining a firearm, would make it illegal to bring firearms within 1000 feet of schools and would restrict high capacity magazines and ban assault rifles.

External links

• News: Delmarva Public Radio, "Delaware Governor Signs Last of Gun Control Laws"
• News: Opposing Views, "Delaware Gov. Jack Markell Signs Bill Requiring Citizens to Report Stolen Guns"
• News: WBOC "Del. Governor: Passing Two of Five Gun Bills Likely it for Now"

See also

• Delaware
• Delaware State Legislature
• Delaware State Senate
• Delaware House of Representatives
• Governor of Delaware Jack Markell