Jeff Hague of Ellendale is the president and legislative liaison of the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association.
This is in response to Mr. Stan Sipple’s Opinion stating that, to solve violent crime committed with firearms, the sale of ammunition should be made more difficult (“Let’s make it more difficult to buy ammunition”).
As president of the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association, let me say unequivocally that Mr. Sipple’s idea is just one more knee-jerk, unworkable assault on law-abiding citizens’ right to keep and bear arms.
First, I would point out that people under age 21 are not allowed to purchase, own or possess handguns. So, when Mr. Sipple mentions “young kids” possessing and bragging about their guns, they are committing a crime.
Second, government does control how people legally obtain firearms. Simply stated, one has to purchase a firearm from a federal firearm licensee. There are forms to fill out and a background check that has to be performed. What is more difficult to control is how people illegally obtain firearms. Ninety-seven percent of firearms used in crimes are illegally obtained. In other words, criminals do not obey the law.
Mr. Sipple seems to forget that, under the federal Second Amendment, people have the right to keep and bear arms. Also, under the Delaware Constitution’s Section 1, Article 20, that right to keep and bear arms is more fully laid out. Both amendments have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Delaware Supreme Court, respectively, as applying to individuals. Permitting programs, I believe, are an infringement of that right and, therefore, unconstitutional.
There are already many reasons why people are disqualified from purchasing or owning firearms — if someone has a prior criminal record, has been institutionalized for mental illness, is an illegal immigrant, has a medical marijuana card or is a user of drugs. There are several other prohibitions, but suffice it to say, firearms are the most heavily regulated consumer product in the United States.
One factor about violent crime should be made clear: According to the Delaware Statistical Analysis Center, in 2019 (the latest statistics I could obtain), 79.7% of known suspects involved in shootings had one or two prior arrests on felony weapon charges. About 72% of the victims also had one or two prior arrests on felony weapon charges. What that means is that bad guys are shooting other bad guys, usually over gang activities or drugs. Another fact is that, in 2024, 50% of the charges for carrying a concealed firearm were dismissed by the attorney general’s office.
My idea, Mr. Sipple: Concentrate on the person, not the object. Objects by themselves cannot hurt anyone. People must be held responsible for their actions. Anyone illegally possessing or using a firearm should be in jail. I have never seen an inmate commit a crime on the street.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
