DOVER, DE — Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, joined by Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, signed SB 300 into law, alongside a slate of gun violence prevention bills passed during this legislative session. The legislation establishes a robust state gun dealer oversight system to reduce the supply of illegal firearms – a critical move given that 65% of all crime guns recovered in the state originated with a local Delaware dealer, and nearly 62% are recovered within 25 miles of where they were sold. As federal oversight from the ATF continues to be gutted and stretched, Delaware is stepping up where the federal government has stepped back, and joining neighboring states like Maryland and New Jersey with similar laws.
Sponsored by Senate President Dave Sokola and Representative Mara Gorman – a former Moms Demand Action volunteer – the bill creates a set of common sense requirements for gun dealers, including mandatory security protocols, employee vetting, and recordkeeping requirements.
“Growing up in Wilmington, gun shops were always a part of our city landscape, but I had no idea that the majority of crime guns were originating right here in my own backyard,” said Monisha Henley, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety, speaking at today’s ceremony. “I do this work because of where I come from, and seeing my state become first in the nation to create a strong dealer licensing system after the Trump administration’s proposed gun safety rollbacks makes me incredibly proud. We are deeply grateful to Governor Meyer, Senate President Sokola, Representative Gorman, and our incredible Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers for coming together to take life-saving action to protect families like mine.”
“I spent over 20 years as an ATF Industry Operations Investigator and have seen firsthand how the federal system is stretched to a breaking point. In Delaware, where 130 dealers operate, a federal inspection might only occur once a decade. We cannot wait ten years to ensure a gun dealer is following the law,” said Marianna Mitchem, Senior Industry Advisor for Everytown for Gun Safety. “States must step up and today, Delaware did just that by establishing basic but thorough safety and training requirements to stop guns from falling into the wrong hands before they ever leave the shop. This bill ensures that Delaware’s licensed dealers are not just sellers, but the first line of defense—a move that will keep Delaware communities safer.”
SB 300 ensures a robust state licensing system and makes Delaware significantly safer by empowering the state to conduct its own inspections, enforce safety standards that prevent gun theft, and revoke the licenses of offending dealers. This life-saving legislation tackles gun trafficking head-on, shutting down the pipelines that supply illegal weapons and taking a massive step forward in protecting Delaware families and communities.