In Delaware might just take the cake. The Democrats down there are pushing a bill that would hit gun dealers with a mountain of new requirements – and honestly, it feels like they're trying to price honest FFLs out of business entirely.
Under this proposal, the current "deadly weapons dealer" license would get replaced with some new state license that kicks in if you're selling just ten guns per year. Ten! That's nothing. And here's the kicker – they won't even tell you how much it'll cost. The fee would be on a sliding scale based on how many firearms you sold the previous year. So the more guns you sell, the more you pay. Sounds like they're punishing success to me.
But the licensing is just the beginning. The bill demands alarm systems, digital cameras covering every entrance, exit, and sales area. Gun shops would have to store those recordings for three full years – which means beefing up your data storage costs significantly. And get this: the Delaware State Police would get access to those surveillance cameras anytime they want, no warrant required. That's not a bug, that's a feature if you're trying to harass lawful business owners.
The reporting requirements are equally ridiculous. Dealers would need to report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours, submit records to state police twice a year, and file annual reports on trace requests and federal inspections. And it's not just the owners – every employee, contractor, and volunteer who even touches guns or has access to them would need background checks and mandatory training every two years.
The worst part? None of this makes anyone safer.Criminals don't get background checks at flea markets or through private sales. These regulations only hurt the legitimate folks trying to run a lawful business and serve their customers. The anti-gun groups like Everytown are celebrating this because they know exactly what they're doing – layer on enough costs and regulations that small shops can't survive.
If you're a Delaware FFL, start paying attention to SB 300. Contact your representatives. And if you're a gun owner in other states, watch what happens here – because if they get away with it, your state could be next.