The full state House will soon take up Governor Jack Markell’s proposal to require background checks to private gun sales.
House Judiciary Committee members voted 7-4 Wednesday to release the bill the House floor, with Trey Paradee (D-29th district) voting no with Republicans on the committee.
[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/gunbilltestimony.mp3|titles= Listen to some of public testimony at House Judiciary Committee hearing on gun sales background check bill.]
About 100 citizens packed into the House chambers, trading verbal blows for about two hours over whether or not the proposal would curb gun violence in the state.
Lieutenant Tom Brackin, President of the Delaware State Troopers Association, said he worries that fear will paralyze action on what he calls common sense solutions.
“I feel, after listening to this week and last week[‘s testimony], that this legislation is in jeopardy of failing because we’re looking for the perfect instead of the good,” said Brackin.
Principals and teachers from around the state joined Brackin and other law enforcement officers in supporting the proposal.
Those opposed to the bill were just as vocal. Many expressed fear that this bill will create a registry of gun owners. Others, including Cecil Faircloth, said it won’t accomplish what Governor Markell says it will.
“It will not prevent any crime. It won’t. The criminals are going to buy guns from criminals. The drug dealers are going to buy guns from drug dealers,” said Faircloth.
The bill could come to the floor as early as next week.