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  • Delaware Legislature sends gun bill to Governor’s desk

    Delaware Legislature sends gun bill to Governor’s desk

    The Delaware Legislature has sent a controversial gun bill to Governor John Carney’s desk that would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing or owning a firearm.

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    House Bill 451, introduced by House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf on June 2, will be headed to the Governor for signature along with other gun control measures that come in the wake of several mass shootings across the country. However, opponents and gun rights advocates say the bills are unconstitutional and vow a legal fight if signed into law.

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    The bill was brought back to the State Senate with two amendments, one that would permit children under 18 years old to possess a firearm under direct supervision of a person 21 years or older with a 3-year sunset. The amendment would also permit a person under 21 to transport a gun for the sole purpose of hunting or recreation.

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    The bill passed the Senate and was quickly passed in the House shortly after by a 24-15 vote (2 absent). It now joins other bills that would ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.

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    Once signed into law, the first-time penalty for an offender would receive a minimum sentence of six months incarceration, with minimum one year for second and subsequent offense.

  • Parking violations may go up under new bill introduced in Delaware

    Parking violations may go up under new bill introduced in Delaware

    A new bill was introduced to the Delaware Legislature that would significantly increase the fines of parking violations in the state.

    House Bill 479, introduced by State Representative Valerie Longhurst, would increase the civil penalty of parking violations from the current $10 but no more than $25 to $100 but no more than $500. Subsequent offenses would also increase to $400 and no more than $2,000.

    A committee hearing on the bill will be held within 12 legislative days.

  • Bill to ban single-use plastics in Delaware pass the Senate

    Bill to ban single-use plastics in Delaware pass the Senate

    A Senate bill that would ban restaurants from using single-use plastics, polystyrene and other non-biodegradable products in Delaware.

    Senate Bill 134 would ban single-use products such as coffee stirrers, straws, and sandwich picks. It was passed on Thursday by a a narrow margin (1 to 8 with one absent).

    “Over the past several decades, the low-cost of these products has made them very popular in our society, but, today, many low-cost alternatives exist that are less harmful,” State Senator Trey Paradee says in a Facebook statement. “As a coastal state with a vibrant tourism industry that is critical to our economy and our quality of life, we need to join other states that have already banned these products and set an example for our children to follow.”

    Single-use plastics have been a target of problematic pollution across the country and the world. Earthday.org reports that 380 million metric tons of plastics are produced every year, with many of those products containing carcinogens and other toxic materials. In addition, another 14 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean. A recent study done in Delaware found that an average of 498 pieces of polystyrene per mile littered Delaware highways.

    The bill now goes to the House for consideration.