hey Newcastle County: no more gun shops for you

[Clarence]

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer signed an ordinance Thursday expanding limits to where firearm retail locations can open and operate in New Castle County.
The new ordinances are zoning amendments on county-governed land. Land in municipalities like Newark and Wilmington are not affected, but Meyer said he is working with local governments on similar regulations.

With Meyer's signature, a firearm retail location can not operate:
*       Within a 500-foot radius of any residential-zoned parcel
*       Within a 1,000-foot radius of a school, daycare center or government-owned park
*       Within a 1,500-foot radius of another firearm retail location

"This will stop new gun stores from opening near our most sensitive locations, and it will help us fight against gun store density," Meyer said at a press conference. "Increased gun store density leads to increased gun violence, particularly in communities of color, and we can do our part to limit the concentration of gun stores in New Castle County."


These new regulations are part of a trend of gun control regulations in the county. In June, Meyer signed an ordinance banning firearms, ammunition and explosives in county government buildings, including administrative builds, police stations and libraries.
Meyer also signed an ordinance in June requiring gun retail stores to enhance their security measures to prevent robbery.
These ordinances were passed by unanimous votes by the County Council. The ordinance is effective immediately.

Meyer, who is running as the Democratic candidate for governor in November's general election, urged other municipality and county governments to take similar actions.
"We still have more work to do at the state level," Meyer said. "We need to do more to hold the gun industry accountable for gun violence, and I look forward to continuing to work with many of our friends here to get that done."

[TwistedKarma]

That's just....  a waste of our tax dollars..  so what's next,  they have to be pink?  Less bullet density?

[Clarence]

If course the law as applied to residential zoning will stop small basement and garage type shops. 

[Just Bill]

I would not have voted for him anyway, now never!!!

[slsharp]

"Increased gun store density leads to increased gun violence, particularly in communities of color......"
Looks a little bit racist to me....inference being 'people of color' need to be controlled more particularly?
-Simon

[Just Bill]

sad to say, but whoever the dem candidate for guv is, will win.  The votes in NCC will determine the next governor, and the dems have paid off the majority of voters.  We are doomed...  Those of us in NCC must talk to our friend, neighbors, people, and tell them what is coming, comrade.

[MarcWinkman]

I imagine that we'll see a legal challenge to this given that the Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms also carries with it the concomitant right to obtain a firearm.  After all, we aren't born with arms.  Per current Supreme Court Jurisprudence, a review of a gun law must pass constitutional muster under the lens of Heller/McDonald/Caetano/Bruen.  In reviewing these ordinances, the court must utilize language commonly understood at the time of the founding once it is demonstrated that the text of the Second Amendment is implicated.  Under the language of the time, "keep" is defined as to have or possess in the then relevant dictionaries.  The term "bear" means to carry in the then relevant dictionaries.  The word infringe in then relevant dictionaries was defined as to hinder or destroy.  This is the term that will be under the most scrutiny in my approximation as restricting where a person may operate a gun shop hinders or destroys an individual's concomitant right to obtain a bearable arm within the meaning of the Second Amendment.  Hopefully DSSA and DASAL jump on this in a hurry and seek an preliminary injunction ASAP.  Given that these laws are currently only at the municipal and county level, the Delaware Court of Chancery is the court to watch in my estimation. I doubt that this will go to the federal District Court because the folks responsible for enforcing these measures are county and municipal officials as opposed to State officials.

With all of that being said, let's pray like hell that Meyers doesn't win the election as governor because there will surely be a strong push to make these measures apply state-wide.  Everyone get off couches and VOTE for not Meyers.

[Just Bill]

Thanks again Marc!!  Legalese speak ruins understanding quickly.  As a Constitutional conservative, I believe in the Second Amendment wording but will likely be locked up in spite of all my permits.  And legal battles can take years and lots of $$$$$$, while our rights are being violated.  They don't care.   They do not represent the people any longer and have violated their oath of office.  The same oath I took years ago.

Bill