The Delaware chapter of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding the Delaware House of Representatives for passing a crucial gun safety bill following a recent wave of gun violence, including shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, as well as others across the country. The bills, HB451 and HB423, would raise the minimum age requirement to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21 and strengthen the state’s background checks system. Volunteers drove over 100 calls and emails to lawmakers in support of the legislation. The bills will now go to the Senate for consideration.
“Ensuring that guns are kept out of the hands of individuals who shouldn’t have access to them is a bedrock principle of public safety,” said Vicki Gordy-Stith, a volunteer with the Delaware chapter of Moms Demand Action. “These bills would make a significant impact in keeping our communities safe, especially during this critical moment in the fight against gun violence. We are thankful to gun sense champions in the House for taking action and look forward to the Senate following suit.”
In 2022, the CDC released new data revealing Delaware had a staggering 45 percent increase in the rate of gun deaths from 2019 to 2020. This makes Delaware the state with the largest one-year increase in the gun death rate in the nation.
In an average year in Delaware, 111 people die by guns and 279 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Delaware $713.7 million each year, of which $36.3 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Delaware is available here.