Looks to be a proposal by Rep?
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001PDYwjmrxtSWh1WrN7HeWZbGKxt175TMPaAefWig2scT6yo2a28W37C215b5BEzLIJkvu2Yqdkw7E2ksLcvBxXLO0yo46s1_LaEKOvDvTxRCMqPmuD1W0H9o0fVZuMqipOKkImJdk-k-q7P3DiOHhmWNwT1j6xMTiDsYWyAaUpHcMEH8jo8PJIy17oUlRBaM5_pAAAkgQedM=House & Senate Republicans Unveil School Safety and Firearms Crime Proposals
Recognizing the need for public policy improvements in the wake of the tragic shooting deaths in Newtown, CT, last month, House and Senate Republican legislators have unveiled a package of bills addressing school safety improvements and increased penalties for firearms violations.
The leaders for the House and Senate Republican caucuses -- House Minority Leader Danny Short (R-Seaford) and House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson (R-Fairthorne) and Senate Minority Leader Gary Simpson (R-Milford) and Senate Minority Whip Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley) -- announced six measures that they and members of their caucuses are supporting to improve overall public safety in Delaware.
The measures aimed at making Delaware schools safer include the following proposals:
A House bill creating the Delaware School Safety and Security Fund for emergency expenditures to improve school safety;
A Senate Concurrent Resolution that will examine implementing a system to allow emergency text messages to be sent to Delaware 9-1-1 call centers; and
A House bill requiring the installation of a "crisis button" in each Delaware public school to alert law enforcement when there is an emergency.
The package that will be introduced includes the following firearms-related bills:
A House bill increasing the penalties that relate to the possession of a firearm by a person prohibited;
A Senate bill expanding the crime of "providing a false statement" to include falsely reporting a lost or stolen firearm; and
A House bill stiffening the penalties for the use of a firearm during the commission of a crime;
For detailed summaries of the bills, click here.
"Among the many things we learned from the unspeakable acts at Sandy Hook Elementary last month is that there is plenty of room for improvement, especially as it relates to how well prepared Delaware schools are in the event an emergency of such magnitude were to occur here," Rep. Short said. "We believe our package of bills is a great start when it comes to addressing serious public safety concerns within our schools. Our proposals are ones that can be implemented today and believe will go a long way toward better protecting students, teachers and staff.
"When it comes to protecting Delaware citizens from the unlawful use of firearms in Delaware, we also believe our initiatives will enhance the overall public safety of our state," Rep. Short said. "Stiffening the penalties for certain firearms violations should be an important component of any package of gun bills. For example, if a gun is used in the commission of a crime, it just makes sense that the penalty should be more severe if someone were injured, or worse, killed. It's one of the common-sense measures that we are proposing to help stop the illegal use of firearms in Delaware."
Rep. Hudson said: "This package of legislative proposals contains sound public policy initiatives that will help make our schools safer. This is by no means an exhaustive list and members in both caucuses continue to examine where additional public safety improvements can be made in Delaware. This package cuts across party lines and one that all legislators should be able to support. I encourage my colleagues in both chambers to review our bills and we welcome their co-sponsorship on the legislation we are unveiling today."
Senator Lavelle, a prime sponsor of the Delaware School Safety and Security Fund, said the fund is an acknowledgement that some schools are at very different phases of their planning to address school safety issues. "This would allow some funding to help schools that may need a little bit more money to get over the top with particular initiatives they're trying to implement," he said.
Senator Cathy Cloutier (R-Heatherbrooke), a lead sponsor of one of the firearms bills, said: "It's important we send a clear message that if you're not allowed to have a gun, you can't have a gun, and that in Delaware we're serious about it. And, if you're caught illegally in possession of a firearm, you're going to face stronger penalties."
During the Joint Finance Committee break, the bills will be circulated to all legislators for additional sponsors and then introduced. Other initiatives and ideas are being researched and it is anticipated that additional legislative proposals will be forthcoming.
