DE legislative records: on Gun Control


Colin Bonini: Opposed mandating safe storage of loaded firearms

Legislative Summary:HB63: This Act revises the crime of "unlawfully permitting a child access to a firearm," an existing class A misdemeanor under Delaware law. The offense is renamed "unsafe storage of a firearm" to place emphasis on firearm safety and proper storage. Under the revised statute, a crime is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm where a minor or other person prohibited by law can access the firearm.

National Rifle Association NRA-ILA case to vote NO: This mandatory storage law would do nothing more than render firearms useless in self-defense situations. Criminals love this bill as it tips the scales in their favor in self-defense situations.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 13-8-0 on Apr/17/19; State Sen. Colin Bonini voted NO; Passed House 23-18-0 on Jun/4/19; Signed by Governor John Carney on Jun/6/19

Source: NRA-ILA on Delaware legislative voting records HB63 Apr 17, 2019

John Carney: Signed law mandating safe storage of loaded firearms

Legislative Summary:HB63: This Act revises the crime of "unlawfully permitting a child access to a firearm," an existing class A misdemeanor under Delaware law. The offense is renamed "unsafe storage of a firearm" to place emphasis on firearm safety and proper storage. Under the revised statute, a crime is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm where a minor or other person prohibited by law can access the firearm.

National Rifle Association NRA-ILA case to vote NO: This mandatory storage law would do nothing more than render firearms useless in self-defense situations. Criminals love this bill as it tips the scales in their favor in self-defense situations.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 13-8-0 on Apr/17/19; Passed House 23-18-0 on Jun/4/19; Signed by Governor John Carney on Jun/6/19

Source: NRA-ILA on Delaware legislative voting records HB63 Jun 6, 2019

Bethany Hall-Long: Don't require owners of lost/stolen handguns to report it

SB16: This bill would require owners of lost or stolen handguns to report such loss or theft.

Giffords Law Center opinion to vote YES:Laws that require firearm owners to notify law enforcement about the loss or theft of a firearm help deter gun trafficking and straw purchasing. They can also help law enforcement disarm individuals who become ineligible to possess firearms.

NRA-ILA opinion to vote NO:SB 16 does nothing to solve an existing crime problem but is an ideological attack on gun ownership. It imposes policies to criminalize victims of crime and subjects anyone who does not follow these arbitrary laws to heavy fines or felony charges that would take away their right to possess a firearm legally.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/2/13; State Sen. Bethany Hall-Long voted NO; passed House 22-19-0 on May/14/13; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Jun/12/13.

Source: NRA-ILA on Delaware State Legislature voting records SB16 May 2, 2013

Colin Bonini: Don't require owners of lost/stolen handguns to report it

SB16: This bill would require owners of lost or stolen handguns to report such loss or theft.

Giffords Law Center opinion to vote YES:Laws that require firearm owners to notify law enforcement about the loss or theft of a firearm help deter gun trafficking and straw purchasing. They can also help law enforcement disarm individuals who become ineligible to possess firearms.

NRA-ILA opinion to vote NO:SB 16 does nothing to solve an existing crime problem but is an ideological attack on gun ownership. It imposes policies to criminalize victims of crime and subjects anyone who does not follow these arbitrary laws to heavy fines or felony charges that would take away their right to possess a firearm legally.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/2/13; State Sen. Colin Bonini voted NO; passed House 22-19-0 on May/14/13; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Jun/12/13.

Source: NRA-ILA on Delaware State Legislature voting records SB16 May 2, 2013

Jack Markell: Require owners of lost/stolen handguns to report it

SB16: This bill would require owners of lost or stolen handguns to report such loss or theft.

Giffords Law Center opinion to vote YES:Laws that require firearm owners to notify law enforcement about the loss or theft of a firearm help deter gun trafficking and straw purchasing. They can also help law enforcement disarm individuals who become ineligible to possess firearms.

NRA-ILA opinion to vote NO:SB 16 does nothing to solve an existing crime problem but is an ideological attack on gun ownership. It imposes policies to criminalize victims of crime and subjects anyone who does not follow these arbitrary laws to heavy fines or felony charges that would take away their right to possess a firearm legally.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/2/13; passed House 22-19-0 on May/14/13; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Jun/12/13.

Source: NRA-ILA on Delaware State Legislature voting records SB16 Jun 12, 2013

ACLU: Don't add state mental health records to national database

HB48: Delaware is one of only 10 states that have provided no information on mentally ill individuals to the federal database. This bill authorizes state agencies to provide such information to NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System].

Analysis by WHYY, 4/13/11: [HB48] would provide mental health records to a national database in an effort to prevent those with severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns. A severely mentally ill's person's health records are not available to firearms retailers outside [Delaware now].

ACLU opposition 5/30/03: The ACLU believes that this easy, warrantless access to our medical information violates the Fourth Amendment. However, because HIPAA regulations have only recently gone into effect, their constitutionality remains largely untested.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 36-0-5 on Jun/2/11; passed Senate 11-8-2 on May/31/11; signed by Gov. Markell on Jul/13/11

Source: WHYY & ACLU on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211 May 30, 2003

Bethany Hall-Long: Add state mental health records to national database

HB48: Delaware is one of only 10 states that have provided no information on mentally ill individuals to the federal database. This bill authorizes state agencies to provide such information to NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System].

Analysis by WHYY, 4/13/11: [HB48] would provide mental health records to a national database in an effort to prevent those with severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns. A severely mentally ill's person's health records are not available to firearms retailers outside [Delaware now].

ACLU opposition 5/30/03: The ACLU believes that this easy, warrantless access to our medical information violates the Fourth Amendment. However, because HIPAA regulations have only recently gone into effect, their constitutionality remains largely untested.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 36-0-5 on Jun/2/11; passed Senate 11-8-2 on May/31/11; State Sen. Hall-Long voted YES; signed by Gov. Markell on Jul/13/11

Source: WHYY & ACLU on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211 May 31, 2011

Colin Bonini: Don't add state mental health records to national database

HB48: Delaware is one of only 10 states that have provided no information on mentally ill individuals to the federal database. This bill authorizes state agencies to provide such information to NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System].

Analysis by WHYY, 4/13/11: [HB48] would provide mental health records to a national database in an effort to prevent those with severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns. A severely mentally ill's person's health records are not available to firearms retailers outside [Delaware now].

ACLU opposition 5/30/03: The ACLU believes that this easy, warrantless access to our medical information violates the Fourth Amendment. However, because HIPAA regulations have only recently gone into effect, their constitutionality remains largely untested.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 36-0-5 on Jun/2/11; passed Senate 11-8-2 on May/31/11; State Sen. Colin Bonini voted NO; signed by Gov. Markell on Jul/13/11

Source: WHYY & ACLU on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211 May 31, 2011

Jack Markell: Add state mental health records to national database

HB48: Delaware is one of only 10 states that have provided no information on mentally ill individuals to the federal database. This bill authorizes state agencies to provide such information to NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System].

Analysis by WHYY, 4/13/11: [HB48] would provide mental health records to a national database in an effort to prevent those with severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns. A severely mentally ill's person's health records are not available to firearms retailers outside [Delaware now].

ACLU opposition 5/30/03: The ACLU believes that this easy, warrantless access to our medical information violates the Fourth Amendment. However, because HIPAA regulations have only recently gone into effect, their constitutionality remains largely untested.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 36-0-5 on Jun/2/11; passed Senate 11-8-2 on May/31/11; signed by Gov. Markell on Jul/13/11

Source: WHYY & ACLU on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211 Jul 13, 2011

Mike Katz: Add state mental health records to national database

HB48: Delaware is one of only 10 states that have provided no information on mentally ill individuals to the federal database. This bill authorizes state agencies to provide such information to NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System].

Analysis by WHYY, 4/13/11: [HB48] would provide mental health records to a national database in an effort to prevent those with severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns. A severely mentally ill's person's health records are not available to firearms retailers outside [Delaware now].

ACLU opposition 5/30/03: The ACLU believes that this easy, warrantless access to our medical information violates the Fourth Amendment. However, because HIPAA regulations have only recently gone into effect, their constitutionality remains largely untested.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 36-0-5 on Jun/2/11; passed Senate 11-8-2 on May/31/11; State Sen. Michael Katz voted YES; signed by Gov. Markell on Jul/13/11

Source: WHYY & ACLU on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211 May 31, 2011

Mike Ramone: Opposed mandating safe storage of loaded firearms

Legislative Summary:HB63: This Act revises the crime of "unlawfully permitting a child access to a firearm," an existing class A misdemeanor under Delaware law. The offense is renamed "unsafe storage of a firearm" to place emphasis on firearm safety and proper storage. Under the revised statute, a crime is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm where a minor or other person prohibited by law can access the firearm.

National Rifle Association NRA-ILA case to vote NO: This mandatory storage law would do nothing more than render firearms useless in self-defense situations. Criminals love this bill as it tips the scales in their favor in self-defense situations.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 13-8-0 on Apr/17/19; State Rep. Ramone voted NO; Passed House 23-18-0 on Jun/4/19; Signed by Governor John Carney on Jun/6/19

Source: NRA-ILA on Delaware legislative voting records HB63 Jun 4, 2019

Mike Ramone: Require owners of lost/stolen handguns to report it

SB16: This bill would require owners of lost or stolen handguns to report such loss or theft.

Giffords Law Center opinion to vote YES:Laws that require firearm owners to notify law enforcement about the loss or theft of a firearm help deter gun trafficking and straw purchasing. They can also help law enforcement disarm individuals who become ineligible to possess firearms.

NRA-ILA opinion to vote NO:SB 16 does nothing to solve an existing crime problem but is an ideological attack on gun ownership. It imposes policies to criminalize victims of crime and subjects anyone who does not follow these arbitrary laws to heavy fines or felony charges that would take away their right to possess a firearm legally.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/2/13; State Rep. Ramone voted YES; passed House 22-19-0 on May/14/13; signed by Governor Jack Markell on Jun/12/13.

Source: NRA-ILA on Delaware State Legislature voting records SB16 May 14, 2013

Mike Ramone: Add state mental health records to national database

HB48: Delaware is one of only 10 states that have provided no information on mentally ill individuals to the federal database. This bill authorizes state agencies to provide such information to NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System].

Analysis by WHYY, 4/13/11: [HB48] would provide mental health records to a national database in an effort to prevent those with severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns. A severely mentally ill's person's health records are not available to firearms retailers outside [Delaware now].

ACLU opposition 5/30/03: The ACLU believes that this easy, warrantless access to our medical information violates the Fourth Amendment. However, because HIPAA regulations have only recently gone into effect, their constitutionality remains largely untested.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 36-0-5 on Jun/2/11; passed Senate 11-8-2 on May/31/11; State Rep. Ramone voted YES; signed by Gov. Markell on Jul/13/11

Source: WHYY & ACLU on Delaware Legislature voting records SB211 Jun 2, 2011

Colin Bonini: Don't ban "ghost guns" (guns without serial numbers)

HB125: Section 1 of this bill establishes the crimes of possession of an unfinished firearm frame or receiver with no serial number, possession of and manufacturing a covert or undetectable firearm, possession of and manufacturing an untraceable firearm, and manufacturing or distributing a firearm using a three-dimensional printer.

WDEL summary Oct 20, 2021: House Bill 125, addresses an increasing need to codify the illegality of untraceable firearms, especially those that are created through the use of 3D printers.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 23-18-0 on May/20/21; passed Senate 13-8-0 on Jun/15/21; State Sen. Colin Bonini voted NO; Signed by Governor John Carney on Oct/20/21.

Source: WDEL on Delaware voting record HB125 Jun 15, 2021

John Carney: Ban "ghost guns" and 3D-printed guns

HB125: Section 1 of this bill establishes the crimes of possession of an unfinished firearm frame or receiver with no serial number, possession of and manufacturing a covert or undetectable firearm, possession of and manufacturing an untraceable firearm, and manufacturing or distributing a firearm using a three-dimensional printer.

WDEL summary Oct 20, 2021: House Bill 125, addresses an increasing need to codify the illegality of untraceable firearms, especially those that are created through the use of 3D printers.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 23-18-0 on May/20/21; passed Senate 13-8-0 on Jun/15/21; signed by Governor John Carney on Oct/20/21.

Source: WDEL on Delaware voting record HB125 Oct 20, 2021

Mike Ramone: Don't ban "ghost guns," guns without serial numbers

HB125: Section 1 of this bill establishes the crimes of possession of an unfinished firearm frame or receiver with no serial number, possession of and manufacturing a covert or undetectable firearm, possession of and manufacturing an untraceable firearm, and manufacturing or distributing a firearm using a three-dimensional printer.

WDEL summary Oct 20, 2021: House Bill 125, addresses an increasing need to codify the illegality of untraceable firearms, especially those that are created through the use of 3D printers.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 23-18-0 on May/20/21; State Rep. Mike Ramone voted NO; passed Senate 13-8-0 on Jun/15/21; signed by Governor John Carney on Oct/20/21.

Source: WDEL on Delaware voting record HB125 Jun 20, 2021

Sarah McBride: Sarah McBride Ban "ghost guns" and 3D-printed guns

HB125: Section 1 of this bill establishes the crimes of possession of an unfinished firearm frame or receiver with no serial number, possession of and manufacturing a covert or undetectable firearm, possession of and manufacturing an untraceable firearm, and manufacturing or distributing a firearm using a three-dimensional printer.

WDEL summary Oct 20, 2021: House Bill 125, addresses an increasing need to codify the illegality of untraceable firearms, especially those that are created through the use of 3D printers.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 23-18-0 on May/20/21; passed Senate 13-8-0 on Jun/15/21; State Sen. Sarah McBride sponsored and voted YES; signed by Governor John Carney on Oct/20/21.

Source: WDEL on Delaware voting record HB125 Jun 15, 2021

  • The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Delaware House and Senate.
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Page last updated: Sep 02, 2025