VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Delaware Governor John Carney Signs Lifesaving Permit to Purchase Bill into Law; Everytown, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action Applaud 

Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Sent Over 460 Messages Advocating for Life-Saving Legislation This Session 

DOVER, Del. – Today, Delaware Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement applauding Governor John Carney and the Delaware legislature for enacting a permit-to-purchase measure into law. Following the tireless efforts of volunteers over this two-year legislative session, this bill to require individuals to apply for and receive a permit prior to purchasing a handgun will be enacted into law. Volunteers joined Governor Carney for the bill signing earlier today. 

“Moms Demand Action volunteers like me have been advocating for our lawmakers to enact permit-to-purchase into law for years, and we’re grateful to Governor Carney and our House and Senate gun sense champions who made it happen today,” said Luann D’Agostino Manley, a volunteer with the Delaware chapter of Moms Demand Action. “With Delaware’s gun homicide rate still higher than the national average, we need to use every tool available to reduce gun violence and keep our communities safe – including this life saving measure. We look forward to continuing to partner with our lawmakers so that we can address all aspects of the epidemic of gun violence in Delaware.” 

“Gun violence is the number one killer of my generation. We know exactly how dangerous it is to allow people to carry guns around without a background check or proper training,” said Adrianna Hutton, a survivor and volunteer with William Penn High School Students Demand Action chapter. “Requiring permits to buy a handgun will go on to save lives in Delaware and we’re thankful our state leaders are working to keep young people and our communities safe.”

SB2 will require individuals to apply for, and receive, a permit prior to purchasing a handgun, which will help keep guns out of the hands of people with dangerous histories. By requiring thorough background checks and other reviews, law enforcement will have an opportunity to deny permits to those who pose a danger to public safety. The permitting system will also ensure that all handgun purchasers have completed a rigorous safety training course. By enacting this piece of legislation today, Delaware joins nearby states including Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts who also have permit-to-purchase systems in place. 

In an average year in Delaware, 123 people die by guns and 305 are wounded. Gun violence costs Delaware $1.4 billion each year, of which $44.4 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Delaware is available here.

To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please don’t hesitate to reach out.