The Delaware Advisory Council On Wildlife and Freshwater Fish unanimously approved a council-written resolution in their June 28 meeting stating their opposition to Delaware House Bills 450 and 451 and Senate Bills 6 and 302. The council chose to oppose these bills—all of which have already passed the Delaware House and Senate and are awaiting Delaware Governor John Carney’s signature—due to concerns they will significantly reduce available funding for Delaware Division of F&W operations and will adversely affect Delaware’s conservation efforts and the overall enjoyment of Delaware’s wild lands by all consumers, including hunters, hikers, bike riders, horseback riders, bird watchers, and more.
As detailed in the resolution and as discussed by council members in the meeting, the federal Pittman-Robertson Act provides money via an 11 percent federal excise tax on sporting firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment and a 10 percent tax on handguns that is used for wildlife restoration, habitat acquisition, development and management as well as hunter education and public shooting range development, operation and maintenance. As HB 450 prohibits the post-effective date sale, manufacture, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, receipt, possession, or transport of firearms deemed assault weapons in Delaware, Pittman Robertson funds available to Delaware could see a significant decrease since many of the banned firearms are among the most popular in the country.
Similarly, council members pointed out that SB 302 enables firearm manufacturers and dealers to be held accountable for crimes and negligence of others, which could drive firearms dealers out of business, lead to additional reductions in Pittman Robertson funds, and make it increasingly difficult for hunters and sport shooters to purchase firearms, ammunition, and other hunting equipment.
Also mentioned during the council meeting were the effects HB 451 will have on the ability for young people to participate in hunting and sport shooting activities. House Bill 451 prohibits a person under 21 from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition of a firearm, with certain exceptions for active members of the Armed Forces, law-enforcement officers, and people with licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons. Although HB 451 does not apply to shotguns, shotgun ammunition, and muzzleloading rifles, it seems it will apply to firearms like .22-caliber rifles and straight wall pistol-caliber rifles, which Delaware recently legalized for deer hunting. The bill also stipulates that a person under the age of 21 can possess a firearm for the purpose of lawful hunting, instruction, sporting, or recreational activity while under the direct supervision of a person 21 year of age or older. Council members pointed out that hunters under the age of 21 who have traditionally hunted on their own would be prohibited from doing so in certain instances.
The council members agreed to share the approved and signed resolution with Carney and other Delaware officials.
A copy of the resolution is provided below. Click the image to read the full resolution.