Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gov. Markell signs background check bill into law

Delaware Public Media

Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware) wasted little time making sure a gun control bill passed by lawmakers Tuesday is now law.

 

Markell signed the measure addressing a loophole in gun background checks Wednesday.

 

Until now, a gun purchase would be allowed to go through after three days, even if a federal background check was not completed.  The law law extends the amount of time a gun buyer is required to wait for a background check to be completed  to 25 days.

 

“The common sense step we take today is about keeping people safe, which shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” said Markell in a statement. “This represents another important step on gun safety, showing we can protect the second amendment while also not accepting the tragic consequences of lax gun laws.

 

State senators voted Tuesday to partially close the loophole after an hour of debate.

 

 

The 12-9 vote largely split Democrats and Republicans, with one lawmaker from each party jumping to the opposing side.

 

Sen. Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View), a firearm dealer himself, says he warned lawmakers years ago that moving from a state background check system to a federal system would eventually cause problems.

 

“Our state check was much more accurate, it was much more to the point. They picked up things that our federal check did not pick up. We are punishing good, law abiding citizens by doing away with the state check, creating a problem and having to pass this legislation today,” Hocker said.

 

Most of the debate centered on how a 25-day delay could present a danger to those looking for protection.

 

Senate Minority Leader Gary Simpson (R-Milford) says that delay could prevent women who are trying to protect themselves from becoming a victim of domestic violence from buying a firearm.

 

“There are women in this situation. So I appeal to you to change your votes, to change your opinion. Again, it’s a well intentioned bill, but I think we’re leaving our most vulnerable women, who we are pledged to protect as men,” Simpson said.

 

Sen. Karen Peterson (D-Stanton) says she’s had her tires slashed, had a poisonous snake left on her front stoop and received four death threats, but that she has dogs for protection instead.

 

92 percent of background checks in Delaware are performed within the three-day time limit.

 

From 2013-2015, 40 people prohibited from owning a gun were able to buy one because of a background check delay, with federal agents having to send officers to retrieve them.

 

Peterson says cases like that shouldn’t happen.

 

“We have to end the insanity. This might not be the perfect bill to do it, but I tell you what, if I had my way, it wouldn’t say 25 days either. It would say you get your gun when you pass your background check,” she said.

 

Republicans put forward several amendments – none of which passed.

 

House lawmakers later approved the amended bill.

Related Content