Delaware House passes lost, stolen firearms reporting bill

[Robb]

So much for the "tragic boating accident" nonsense.

Dover -- The Delaware House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 16, requiring the reporting of lost or stolen firearms.

With the passage of SB 16, Delaware becomes the eighth state to require the reporting of lost or stolen firearms.

The District of Columbia also requires such reporting, as do numerous cities and towns.

Senate Bill 16 will require gun owners to report the loss or theft of their firearm to police within seven days of discovering the weapon is missing. Violators will be subject to a fine of $75-$100 for a first offense and a fine of $100-$250 for a second offense. A third offense is a class G felony.

"Law enforcement tells us straw purchasers have two main excuses when the gun they purchased ends up at a crime scene: 'I lost that weapon" or 'That weapon was stolen.'" Markell said. "By requiring individuals to report their gun lost or stolen, this bill helps eliminate those excuses once and for all."

Read More: http://www.doverpost.com/article/20130514/NEWS/130519916

Senate already passed, headed to governor who says he will sign.

[rdharma]

1. Those "penalties" are way too mild!

First offense should be a class G felony! Seriously, is the possibility of a $100 fine going to discourage straw purchasers?

[Robb]

2. A felony conviction in Delaware prohibits you from owning firearms at all.

So there's that.

[rdharma]

3. That should be the penalty on the first offense.

And not the THIRD.

Now THAT would make a straw purchaser think!

[Robb]

4. Perhaps. But remember, every weapon in the trunk of that car counts

You can get to three pretty easily; I doubt most straw purchasers work a la carte.

[rdharma]

5. If it works that way..... and three guns equals three strikes.....

That'll work.

[Hoyt]

6. That's good legislation, even if penalties are a little light for first/second offense.