Press Release – Jan. 20, 2016
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For immediate release
Contacts: Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036;
Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For immediate release
Contacts: Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036;
Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Gun buyback revisions head to Senate
DOVER – Police would be able to tap into the state’s gun buyback fund to conduct undercover operations to arrest illegal gun traffickers under legislation that cleared a Senate committee on Wednesday.
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee signed off on sending Senate Bill 19 to the full Senate for consideration.
“We want illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of criminals,” said Sen. Robert Marshall, the bill’s sponsor. “Allowing police to use some our buyback money to crack down on illegal gun dealers will help us reach that goal and will help keep our streets safer. I’m pleased that my colleagues see the need for this.”
Marshall, D-Wilmington West, proposed the revision to his 2011 law allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to conduct gun buyback programs. Since the law was enacted, the state sponsored one buyback effort in Wilmington that resulted in more than 2,000 firearms being turned in.
Besides allowing police to use funds for investigations, Marshall’s revisions answer a question about how to handle historically significant weapons that surfaced during the original buyback. At that time police wanted to be able to sell those weapons, however, the new measure mandates that any such guns be donated to museums or other non-profits.
“It was never our intent to make this public safety program a money-maker,” Marshall said. “If historically important weapons are turned in, they should become museum pieces so people can understand their role.”
While the initial December 2011 buyback was so successful, the state had to dip into cash reserves to provide gift cards to participants, public safety officials have not followed up on it.
Although the program has had legislative critics, Marshall said he’s hopeful the revisions will find favor with lawmakers. He hopes to debate the bill on the Senate floor next week.
“While you can debate the merits of gun buybacks, I don’t think there’s much debating that gun violence – not just on the streets of Wilmington – is a growing problem in Delaware,” Marshall said. “I hope my friends in the Senate and House will see this as an important step in helping to interdict the flow of guns to criminals up and down the state.”
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee signed off on sending Senate Bill 19 to the full Senate for consideration.
“We want illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of criminals,” said Sen. Robert Marshall, the bill’s sponsor. “Allowing police to use some our buyback money to crack down on illegal gun dealers will help us reach that goal and will help keep our streets safer. I’m pleased that my colleagues see the need for this.”
Marshall, D-Wilmington West, proposed the revision to his 2011 law allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to conduct gun buyback programs. Since the law was enacted, the state sponsored one buyback effort in Wilmington that resulted in more than 2,000 firearms being turned in.
Besides allowing police to use funds for investigations, Marshall’s revisions answer a question about how to handle historically significant weapons that surfaced during the original buyback. At that time police wanted to be able to sell those weapons, however, the new measure mandates that any such guns be donated to museums or other non-profits.
“It was never our intent to make this public safety program a money-maker,” Marshall said. “If historically important weapons are turned in, they should become museum pieces so people can understand their role.”
While the initial December 2011 buyback was so successful, the state had to dip into cash reserves to provide gift cards to participants, public safety officials have not followed up on it.
Although the program has had legislative critics, Marshall said he’s hopeful the revisions will find favor with lawmakers. He hopes to debate the bill on the Senate floor next week.
“While you can debate the merits of gun buybacks, I don’t think there’s much debating that gun violence – not just on the streets of Wilmington – is a growing problem in Delaware,” Marshall said. “I hope my friends in the Senate and House will see this as an important step in helping to interdict the flow of guns to criminals up and down the state.”
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov