Jennings calls out gun lobby’s inaccurate and deceptive filings

More than 200 handgun permits issued since successful launch

AG Kathy Jennings responded Friday to spurious claims that the gun lobby made in a deceitful attempt to block the implementation of permit to purchase - a handgun training and licensing law supported by roughly 70% of Delawareans, including more than 60% of gun owners - by arguing, incorrectly, that the State is not ready or able to issue permits.

"Permit to purchase is up and running in Delaware and permits are being issued. Training and licensing for handgun buyers is not just a popular policy-it's an effective and lifesaving one," said Attorney General Jennings. "I applaud Governor Meyer, the State Police, the State Bureau of Identification, and responsible members of the firearms industry for making the rollout of the program a success."

On November 4, attorneys for the Delaware State Sportsmen's Association-an NRA-aligned lobbyist group for the gun industry-filed a motion asking a federal judge to issue a Temporary Restraining Order blocking implementation of permit to purchase. In the motion, Attorney Thomas Neuberger argues that Delaware's permitting infrastructure is not functioning-that the State is unable to issue permits to purchase-amounting to a de facto handgun ban.

That claim is demonstrably false.

Permit to purchase has not only been in effect, but running efficiently since October 28. The Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security has already issued handgun permits to at least 238 applicants in the ten days since then, with most permits processed in just two-to-three business days. This process not only upholds the law but also strengthens public safety, proving that responsible gun ownership and efficient government can go hand in hand.

"The gun lobby and its attorneys are entitled to their opinions, but not their own facts," said Jennings. "They should play by the rules and correct their filings with the Court."

Jennings, through her Office of Impact Litigation, raised these and other objections in a letter to the Court on Wednesday night, making clear that the plaintiffs' allegations have no basis in fact.

Jennings' letter also objected on procedural grounds. A separate-and substantively identical-complaint from the gun lobby, filed in May 2024, is subject both to a pending motion to dismiss and to a Court order barring the gun lobby from amending its complaint. The gun lobby's new filing amounts to an improper attempt to circumvent both.

States with a permit to purchase laws have 25% lower gun homicide rates than those without, 50% lower gun suicide rates than those without, and reduce gun trafficking by 75%. Case studies have demonstrated the impact of permit to purchase: in Connecticut, gun homicides fell by 40% and gun suicides fell by 15% after handgun permitting took effect. Conversely, in Missouri, gun homicides rose by 27% and gun suicide rose by 16% following the repeal of permit to purchase.

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