City of Wilmington throws support behind Delaware’s gun legislation

When it comes to stricter gun laws, the City of Wilmington wants the state to know they’re in full support.

On Thursday, Wilmington City Council announced a series of proposals to support new gun legislation recently introduced by Gov. Jack Markell, D-Del., and Federal leaders.

A City ordinance introduced by 4th District Councilmember Hanifa Shabazz would allow the city to put the laws into effect immediately after the Delaware General Assembly passes them.

“We’re poising ourselves for when the federal and state laws kick in,” explained Shabazz. “We’re ready to be active and we can immediately make it effective for the City of Wilmington. We wouldn’t have to wait to go through the whole process because we know how important it is to have these kinds of laws on the books for the City of Wilmington.”

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The laws include background checks for private firearm sales, requiring the reporting of lost and stolen firearms and banning possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.

It would also enforce banning the sale, manufacture, delivery and unlawful possession of large-capacity magazines and military-style weapons.

Additionally, a resolution to back Attorney General Beau Biden’s legislation on stricter bail conditions was also supported by Wilmington City Council.  A summary of it can be found on the City’s website now.

It reads, “The legislation requires that defendants, who are arrested on violent felony charges while released on bail for a previous offense, have their bail for the first offense revoked if a Superior Court judge decides there is sufficient evidence that the person committed the second offense.”

Wilmington officials also plan to crack down on background check loopholes if the matching federal laws are approved.

All of the proposals are contingent on the passage of State and Federal laws.

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