Delaware: Mandatory Gun Storage Legislation to be Heard in Committee Today

Today, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider anti-gun House Bill 366.  HB 366 would make it a class A or B misdemeanor if a person is guilty of the unsafe storage of a firearm should they intentionally or recklessly store or leave a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of an unauthorized person and where such person obtains the firearm.  HB 366 is legislation in search of a problem that doesn’t currently exist.  

The bill’s vague language fails to define critical sections that could potentially ensnare unknowing gun owners, including what is “within reach” or considered “easy access.”  It is critical that you contact and urge members of the House Judiciary Committee to vote NO on HB 366!

This proposal has little to do with making children safer and everything to do with making it safer to be a criminal.  HB 366 would be virtually unenforceable and in addition to these concerns, there are also safety concerns to consider.  The mandatory use of a locking device can greatly diminish reaction times under duress.  Being forced to fumble with a lock and key in a self-defense situation could mean the difference between life and death.

If anti-gun legislators were serious about keeping kids safe, they would know that the key to reducing firearm accidents isn't about prosecuting after the fact, it's about educating our children about the safe use of firearms.  For that reason, the National Rifle Association developed the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® accident prevention program that teaches children to, “STOP, DON’T TOUCH, RUN AWAY and TELL A GROWN-UP.”

At the end of the day, it comes down to the fact that all households are different and have different needs.  This reckless bill encompasses every home, not only those with young children residing in them.  This one-size fits all approach is a solution to a non-existent problem and is both over-reaching and not based on fact.

Again, please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and strongly urge them to OPPOSE House Bill 366.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee:

Rep. John Mitchell (Chair)
302-577-8476

Rep. Melanie George Smith (Vice-Chair)
302-744-4351

Rep. Charles Potter
302-577-8476

Rep. James Johnson
302-577-8476

Rep. Gerald Brady
302-744-4351

Rep. Sean Lynn
302-744-4351

Rep. Trey Paradee
302-744-4351

Rep. William Outten
302-744-4083

Rep. Stephen Smyk
302-744-4171

Rep. David Wilson
302-744-4150

Rep. Jeff Spiegelman
302-744-4171