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Gun Legislation Draws Fire in Delaware

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There’s a bill in the Delaware legislature that would allow judges and police to temporarily take guns away from people whose family believes they might be a danger to themselves or others.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that Democratic state Representative David Bentz believes the measure would enable authorities to defuse potentially explosive situations – particularly those considering suicide.

Police would be able to search and seize guns from a person’s home after a petition has been filed describing the type of weapon and where it is.

A hearing would be required within ten days at which the gun owner could make his or her case for retaining the weapon.

The order could last up to a year.

But the News Journal reports that Republican state Senator David Lawson believes the measure goes too far and violates the Second Amendment.

He told the paper that the process could be easily abused and questions an emergency order without a hearing along with losing a gun for a year or more.

Don Rush is the News Director 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.