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Expanded Gun Background Checks Makes Progress in Delaware

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - A state House committee has voted to release a bill that expands criminal background checks for gun purchases in Delaware to cover sales between private sellers and buyers.

The measure cleared the Judiciary Committee on a 7-to-4 vote Wednesday and now heads to the full House.

Wednesday's vote came after the committee resumed a hearing on the measure after running out of time last week with opponents still waiting to speak against the bill. Committee members heard two more hours of public comment Wednesday.

The legislation is part of a gun control package proposed by Gov. Jack Markell after the December massacre at a Connecticut elementary school.

Background checks currently are required only for purchases from federally licensed firearms dealers.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.