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Senate approves bill requiring firearm purchasers to sign a responsibilities notice
Summary
The Delaware Senate passed House Bill 141 (with Amendment 1) requiring the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to produce a firearm responsibilities notice and mandating licensed dealers obtain and retain signed notices for three years; the vote was 17–4.
Senator Lachman asked the Senate to consider House Bill 141 with House Amendment 1, a measure directing the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a standard "Firearm Responsibilities Notice" to be reviewed and signed by gun purchasers.
The bill requires licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers to ensure a prospective buyer reviews and signs the notice before transfer; dealers must provide a copy to the buyer and retain a copy on-site for at least three years. Senator Lachman described the measure as intended "to help deter straw purchases and other illegal transfer[s] of firearms" and to increase reporting of lost or stolen firearms.
Opponents said the approach burdens lawful dealers and may not improve street safety. Senator Lawson criticized the measure as "nudge politics," arguing additional paperwork will not make streets safer and saying, "It just doesn't make sense to me. I will not be supporting this vote or this bill." Senator Buxton said he would support the bill, citing stakeholder discussions and the involvement of groups including the NRA and others who testified in committee.
The Senate held a roll-call vote after debate. The final tally on House Bill 141 as amended was 17 yes and 4 no; the chair announced the bill had received the required majority and was declared passed to the other chamber.
The measure does not change funding formulas or prohibit transfers; rather it creates a state-developed notice and recordkeeping requirement to be implemented by DSHS in consultation with the Department of Justice and others. The bill requires dealers to maintain the signed notices at their place of business for three years and directs DSHS to post the notice online and provide it free of charge to licensed entities.
