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New Polling: An Overwhelming Majority of Delaware Voters, Including 88 Percent of Gun Owners, Support Lifesaving Red Flag Legislation

6.13.2018

Results Show Wide Support from Democrats and Republicans as Lawmakers Will Hold Hearing Today on Red Flag Legislation, Which Would Create a Lethal Violence Protection Order

Polling Results Were Announced At A Press Conference Featuring Governor Carney and Delaware Lawmakers

DOVER, Del. – Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Delaware chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown, today released new polling conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Everytown. The results indicate that 91 percent of Delawareans, including 88 percent of gun owners, support temporarily prohibiting a person from having guns if they pose a serious threat to themselves or others. The polling results were publicly released at a press conference earlier today attended by Gov. John Carney, volunteers with the Delaware chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, House Majority Leader Val Longhurst and Sen. Bryan Townsend.

The poll results serve as a preview of voter support ahead of today’s hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on HB 222, legislation that would create a Red Flag Law in Delaware. Volunteers with the Delaware chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America are in Legislative Hall today to educate lawmakers about the need to pass this lifesaving legislation.

HB 222 would help prevent mass shootings and gun suicides by empowering families and law enforcement to seek a Lethal Violence Protection Order, a court order that would temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms when they pose a risk of using them to harm themselves or others. Family members and law enforcement are often the first people to recognize warning signs that indicate someone might be a danger to themselves or others. Florida, Vermont, Maryland, Rhode Island and New Jersey have all passed Red Flag legislation this year. elaware has the potential to become the sixth state to pass this legislation following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

The survey also found that:

  • 78 percent of people support prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, a gun accessory that allows a semi-automatic rifle to mimic the firing speed of a fully automatic firearm;
  • 74 percent of people support increasing the minimum age for purchasing any gun in Delaware from 18 to 21;
  • 73 percent of people support prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons; and
  • 69 percent of people support prohibiting the sale and possession of high capacity magazines, which allow a shooter to fire more than 10 rounds without reloading.

STATEMENT FROM SARAH STOWENS, VOLUNTEER LEADER WITH THE DELAWARE CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“This polling makes it clear that both Republicans and Democrats in Delaware want lawmakers to prioritize common sense gun policies. Family and law enforcement are often the first to see warning signs when loved ones or community members are in crisis. A Red Flag Law would empower them to help keep our communities safe. We urge the legislature to pass a Red Flag Law now along with other gun sense legislation that enjoys broad public support.”