Governor Carney calls on Congress to “outlaw assault weapons”

Delaware Governor John Carney joined 11 other governors from across the country today and issued a letter calling on President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to “outlaw assault weapons”

“The federal government has a history of acting on gun reform when the American public demands it. In 1934, the federal government regulated machine guns. In 1968, the federal government banned mail order gun sales,” the letter read. “In 1994, the federal government implemented a 10-year ban on assault weapons. Americans are again calling on their government to act, and it’s time to listen.”

The proposal the governors signed would ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and establish stricter reporting requirements to prevent those deemed by a mental health professional to be a danger to themselves or others from purchasing a firearm.

In the letter, it was suggested Congress pass Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation, commonly referred to as Red Flag laws, which prevents individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

“Public safety is the first and most important responsibility of government, and the failure to act to protect the public is a failure in leadership. As Governors, it is our responsibility to listen to our communities’ calls for action,” the letter read. “A patchwork of state laws will never be a substitute for coherent national policy.

View a copy of the Governors’ letter.