Del. lawmakers approve expanded gun buy checks
Del. lawmakers approve expanding gun purchase background checks to most private sales
DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Delaware's Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill expanding criminal background checks on gun purchases in the state, including most transactions between private sellers and buyers.
The state's Democrat-led Senate voted 13-8 Thursday to approve the measure. It now goes to Democratic Gov. Jack Markell for his signature.
The legislation is part of a package of gun-control measures proposed by Markell in the aftermath of the Connecticut school shooting in December.
Supporters say background checks on private sales will make it harder for criminals to obtain guns. Opponents say the bill is simply another gun control measure that will be ignored by criminals.
The new law would take effect July 1.
