Protesters swarm gun control rally as Democrats propose tougher gun laws

Delaware Democrats are taking another crack at toughening the state's gun laws. And this time, they – and some gun rights advocates – think they have the votes.

Lawmakers filed three bills, which would ban certain firearms and magazines, and require a permit to buy a gun.

Supporters of the legislation spoke to a crowd of gun control advocates outside the Capitol on Wednesday. Attorney General Kathy Jennings was one of the speakers, along with the bills' sponsors and House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear.

The event, hosted by Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, was joined by hundreds of gun rights advocates.

STRICTER GUN BILLS:Democrats propose stricter gun control measures in Delaware

The protesters shouted, “We will not comply," as state leaders and activists spoke in support of the bills.

“Stop treating us like criminals,” one gun rights protester shouted.

"They want to ban AR-15s," said Hartly resident Phil Martin, 62, who was at the event. "It's my right to have (them)."

He likely was referring to a bill that bans what it calls "assault weapons" in Delaware, with some exceptions. Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, the sponsor, pushed a similar proposal that failed last year.

Another bill sponsored by Sen. David Sokola, D-Newark, bans magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Should the law take effect, anyone who owns those magazines would have to give them up to law enforcement.

Like the assault weapons ban, this bill echoes one last year that would have banned 17-round magazines, with some exceptions. That bill, sponsored by House Majority Whip John Mitchell, D-Elsmere, would have allowed those magazines at shooting ranges, for example.

Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine West, is sponsoring legislation where anyone who wants to buy a gun must get a "purchaser card" and take a training course. The training course is similar to what's required for a concealed carry permit in Delaware.

All three measures have been lambasted by gun rights advocates.

"They're discriminatory," said Jeff Hague, president of Delaware’s local National Rifle Association affiliate, the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association. "The only people who are affected are law-abiding citizens."

Hague argues the term "assault weapon" is a scare tactic.

Gov. John Carney supports this session's proposed assault weapons and magazine bans. But he has not announced whether he would support the permit bill, according to his spokesman.

Supporters tried to pass similar magazine and assault weapons bans last session, but both fell short in the Senate. Sens. Brian Bushweller, D-Dover, Bruce Ennis, D-Smyrna, voted with Republicans against allowing the legislation to move to the floor. That left Democrats two votes short of the 11 needed.

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But the majority party now has one extra seat in both chambers than it did last year, and Bushweller has since retired.

His successor, Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, would not comment on the gun legislation Wednesday. But he did comment on the rally.

"I don’t think the so-called gun rights advocates did themselves any favors today," Paradee said in a text. "I thought their actions were abhorrent and juvenile and contrary to the principles of reasonable and civil discourse."

The bills first have to go through a committee in which Democrats outnumber Republicans by two to one. Townsend, who sits on that committee, thinks the bills will make it out of the Senate.

"What was most concerning to a lot of people was this idea that we weren't even going to discuss them on the floor," Townsend said. "Now, we're going to be having that debate."

Many say the change in the Democratic majority gives the bills a better chance of becoming law.

"There is more leverage on the Democratic side," said Wilmington resident Chris Rowe, 60, who came to the rally in opposition to the legislation.

Contact Sarah Gamard at sgamard@gannett.com.