Delaware

Why Delaware lawmakers failed to vote on ‘permit to purchase’ in first weeks of session

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2024

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Why Delaware lawmakers failed to vote on ‘permit to purchase’ in first weeks of session

Despite promises by legislative leaders to get ‘permit to purchase’ passed in January, the bill never made it on the House agenda.
House Democrats plan to bring the bill to a vote when lawmakers return to session in March.
The bill is estimated to cost $2.6 million to implement in the first year, funding that has already been committed in Gov. John Carney’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal.
The legislation builds on recently passed gun safety reforms in 2022 and 2023.

Despite Delaware House leadership’s pledge to pass gun safety legislation upon lawmakers’ return to Dover in January, a bill to require training and a permit prior to purchase of a handgun hasn’t made it to a vote.

House Democrats in December announced the Appropriations Committee had approved the bill and House Speaker Valerie Longhurst in a Dec. 14 news release reiterated her commitment to getting the legislation passed when the full House reconvened in January.

“For the past decade, we have passed some of the most comprehensive gun safety laws in the country, making Delaware a leader by strengthening our background checks, closing loopholes, banning assault-style firearms and large-capacity magazines, and instituting red flag laws,” Longhurst said in the December news release. “This bill is the next piece of the puzzle to keeping our communities safe and I’m looking forward to bringing permit to purchase to the House floor as soon as we return to session in January.”

But the bill never made it on the House agenda, and now the General Assembly breaks for the next few weeks while legislative leaders host budget discussions in the Joint Finance Committee.

Typically, the first weeks of the legislative session include at least one major bill’s passage – and political insiders had anticipated the “permit to purchase” bill would be that major piece.

The bill would require people to undergo a gun safety training course and apply for a permit to qualify for purchase. It would also create a voucher program for low-income residents to cover the costs of the training course.

It comes with a $7.8 million annual price tag, according to the fiscal note on the proposal, which necessitated the bill going through the House Appropriations Committee prior to passage on the floor.

Delawareans debate if residents need to receive training before buying a handgun

Attorney General Kathy Jennings urged lawmakers to get the bill passed as soon as possible.

“Permit to purchase is the most proven gun safety policy in the nation. States with permit to purchase have 25% lower gun homicide rates and 50% lower gun suicide rates than those without, and reduce gun trafficking by as much as 75%,” Jennings said. “We have commitments from Senate and House leadership to pass this legislation – and, as of this week, the legislation is funded in the governor’s recommended budget. This bill will save lives. We have to get it done.”

When will vote on ‘permit to purchase’ take place?

House Democratic spokesperson Jenevieve Worley said legislative leaders plan to run the bill in March when lawmakers return for session.

She said recent inclement weather and uncertainty around Gov. John Carney’s rescheduling of the State of the State address forced the House to remain flexible and keep schedules open.

Worley stressed the bill is something that will draw a lot of attention, and legislators will want to take their time to get the legislation done right.

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2024: Delaware lawmakers are headed back to Dover. Here’s what they’re focusing on

Carney’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal also includes nearly $3 million, which covers the estimated $2.7 million costs for implementing “permit to purchase” in the first year.

Those annual costs increase to $7.8 million by the second year and continue annually thereafter, according to the fiscal note.

State leaders publicly support bill’s passage

Senate Democrats lauded their efforts on gun safety reforms at the end of last year’s legislative session, underscoring lawmakers commitment to passing “permit to purchase” at the beginning of session in 2024.

In recent years, Delaware lawmakers have passed some gun reform bills, including raising the age for purchase of guns to 21, banning the sale of assault weapons, strengthening background checks and limiting high-capacity magazines, among others.

Senate lawmakers in June emphasized their commitment to gun safety reform at the end of the first year of the 152nd General Assembly, after a law that makes possession of a firearm in a safe school and recreation zone a felony.

Under previous state law, a person could only be charged with violating the safe school and recreation zone firearm prohibition once they commit an offense.

2022 GUN SAFETY: Delaware General Assembly passes more pieces of gun reform legislation

The legislation empowers law enforcement to act immediately when they see or suspect a person is carrying a firearm in a safe school zone, which includes any building, athletic field, sports stadium or real property owned by a K-12 public school, according to the bill.

Another bill approved by the General Assembly last year bars all firearms at active polling places unless carried by a law enforcement officer, security guard, constable or active-duty members of the military acting in their official capacity.

And a House bill that imposes criminal charges on gun owners who leave firearms unattended and unsecured in their cars, was approved by the Senate, but was amended and sent back to the House for final consideration. It was not added to the House agenda in January.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or call or text her at 302-598-5507. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

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Delaware

Delaware County Council chooses new leadership

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Delaware County Council chooses new leadership

Monday also coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Womack, Controller Louis Rosenthal, District Attorney Tanner Rouse, Sheriff Siddiq Kamara and first-term Councilmember Joanne Phillips.

“I remain inspired by what the voters told me during this election,” Phillips said in the press release. “They told me to keep working hard, use my common sense, keep moving the county forward, implement changes as efficiently and effectively as we can, use our resources wisely, and take care of our people.”

First-term Delaware County Councilmember Joanne Phillips gets sworn in at the induction ceremony on Jan. 5, 2026. (Courtesy of Delaware County Communications and Public Affairs Department)

Among its first orders of business, County Council voted to reappoint Barbara O’Malley as executive director for a two-year term to oversee the day-to-day operations of government departments.

County Council’s first official meeting is Wednesday.

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Delaware

Katt Williams & more big comedians to see in, near Delaware 2026

Published

13 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Katt Williams & more big comedians to see in, near Delaware 2026

Are you already in need of a laugh (or two) in 2026?

There are several comedians performing in Delaware area this year who might be able to get the job done. But it’ll cost you a couple of coins.

Here are some big (and smaller) comedians who are currently confirmed for touring in and near the First State, from now through the summer.

Some of the most notable Black comedians performed on HBO’s raw “Def Comedy Jam” in the 1990s, including Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac and Thea Vidale. That’s the same unfiltered Vidale who also starred as the mama of WWE star Shelton Benjamin for a brief wrestling storyline. Vidale also played the mom of R&B singer Brandy on the ’90s sitcom “Thea,” which made the veteran comic the first Black female comedian to have a sitcom named after them on a national network, according to The Grand’s website. Vidale will headline a night of laughs at an event presented by Keenan Copening’s Bar None Entertainment. The event includes DJ-K and The Reverend Bob Levy.

Studio 1 of The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Tickets are $50. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

Delaware State Fair alum Jeff Dunham is coming to the arena of the Philadelphia 76ers with his new “AI” tour, which doesn’t stand for “Allen Iverson,” sadly. The rock-star ventriloquist and his puppet gang, who have 4.76 million YouTube subscribers, will tickle patrons with the “Artificial Intelligence” tour, a subject we can’t avoid these days.

Xfinity Mobile Arena (3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets start at $92. Visit jeffdunham.com.

With 9 million fans on Instagram, Desi Banks will march a small army of his soldiers into a battlefield of silliness where he’ll wage war against boredom this spring. Although people love his internet skits, Banks is a veteran performer who also can work a stage, which he’s shared with big names including Martin Lawrence and Mike Epps.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Jan. 16; 7 and 9:15 p.m., Jan. 17; 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

The new year equals a fresh start to hear new jokes. Next on deck is comedian Mike Cannon, who can overshare with the best of them. Cannon has a sharp-witted style of comedy that can turn on-the-spot crowd observations into three minutes of material. Among his long list of credits, the podcast troublemaker starred in the film “Timing” on Amazon Prime, and he’s appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Friday Night Pints.”

The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets are $32. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or call (302) 400-7020.

Seven wild comics will hit one stage, with Mike Epps leading the way, during the return of the “We Them One’s” comedy tour at The Liacouras Center, home of the Temple Owls. The lineup features Epps, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Mojo Brookzz, Tony Roberts, Jayski and Fab Monroe.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m., Feb. 20. Tickets are $85-$311+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Maybe you saw Affion Crockett in a friendly roast battle against Kevin Hart, or in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Either way, one of the next places you can catch Crockett is headlining four shows at Punch Line Philly.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Feb. 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Feb. 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

It was only late last year when comedian and actor Patton Oswalt came to Wilmington. Now he’s headed back to Delmarva, this time playing Ocean City.The longtime entertainer has a résumé in TV and film that’s longer than the “Star Wars” title sequence with TV and movie credits that include “The King of Queens,” “Parks and Recreation” and last year’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”

Ocean City Performing Arts Center (4001 Coastal Highway, Convention Center, Ocean City) at 7 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $61.90 to $185.50. Visit ocmdfilmfestival.com.

Comedian Ryan Davis ended 2025 on a high note, opening for well-respected comic Ali Siddiq. Davis is best known for his viral videos on social media, where he spent years ranting about pop culture or whatever else was on his mind. Some of his notable credits include appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “All Def Comedy.”

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

Going to a Garrison Keillor performance can feel like you’re at a concert, poetry session and a comedy show in one event. The storyteller, who is a native of Minnesota, will be joined with special guest Rich Dworsky for an evening of double trouble.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. March 28. Tickets are $66-$86. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

Tracy Locke and more: ‘April Fools Festival,’ Milton

No matter the forecast, comedian Tracy Locke is bringing you spring comedy showers in Milton, so bring a poncho. The headliner will be joined with Dave Evans and host Keith Purnell.

Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $15.76-$22.35. Visit miltontheatre.com or call (302) 684-3038

Don’t think David Sedaris stands around telling jokes all day. Because he’s versatile enough to sit down and write humor, which he’s proved through multiple New York Times bestsellers. This includes Sedaris’ writings in “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” (comical essays about personal events that range from a colonoscopy to his dad wearing a shirt and underwear during dinner). Sedaris reminds his fans that the same thing that can make you cry also can make you laugh.

The Playhouse on Rodney Square (1007 N. Market St, Wilmington) at 7 p.m. April 12. Tickets are $55-$92. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302). 888-0200.

There might not be a comedian today who’s more likeable than Katt Williams, depending on whom you ask. Williams, who has headlined arenas for years, caught fire on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast in 2024 with an episode that cracked over 91 million views. He’s seen a surge of popularity over the last two years that saw more podcast appearances like Joe Rogan’s pod, which racked up 25 million views alone.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $92-$353+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Aries Spears, Wilmington

The biggest comedian who’s been announced for Delaware in 2026 is Aries Spears, who has been in the game for over three decades, and he’s still cracking people up. From his eight seasons on the sketch series “MADtv” to being a regular guest on the popular YouTube channel Vlad TV, Spears has shown his versatile ability to be funny with a script and in candid conversation. While Spears isn’t just an impressionist comic, he’s got a knack for mimicking entertainers like DMX, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Shaquille O’Neal.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $55-$99. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call thegrandwilmington.org.

Pennsylvania native Shane Gillis is gonna be on an emotional high when he headlines The Linc, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, this summer, joined by special guests. Gillis is one of the hottest names in comedy and showed people when he appeared in Bud Light’s 2025 Super Bowl ad with Peyton Manning and Post Malone, an experience that was capped off with The Birds winning the Super Bowl.

The Linc (One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. July 17. Tickets are $30-$171+. Visit lincolnfinancialfield.com.

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Delaware

Siddiq Kamara sworn in as Delaware County sheriff, turning family tragedy into push for change

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Siddiq Kamara sworn in as Delaware County sheriff, turning family tragedy into push for change

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — Siddiq Kamara was sworn in on Monday as the new sheriff of Delaware County, marking a milestone he said he never imagined before a family tragedy pushed him toward public service.

Kamara, who won nearly 63% of the vote in November, greeted supporters as he arrived in uniform.

“I haven’t gotten to wear a uniform like this in a long time,” he said before the ceremony.

Moments later, he reflected on the weight of the day, saying he was “just trying to let everything sink in.”

The moment became real as he took the oath of office — a role he said he could not have foreseen before August 27, 2021.

“August 2021 changed my family’s life forever,” Kamara said. That was when 8-year-old Fanta Bility, his cousin, was killed by police gunfire as she left an Academy Park High School football game.

“When I got the call that I lost my cousin, that’s a call that nobody should ever feel. And at that moment, something had to be done,” Kamara said.

Drawing on his experience as a police officer, National Guard member, and employee of the attorney general’s office, Kamara pushed for increased training within the Sharon Hill Police Department. That effort could expand statewide through legislation known as “Fanta’s Law.”

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said he is optimistic about the bill’s future, calling it “one of the rare cases where you have bipartisan support around this bill.”

Supporters said Kamara brings a valuable perspective as the son of Liberian immigrants.

“People see themselves in him, and it’s great to have that type of representation,” said Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council.

Anthony Moss, of Laborers’ Local 413, added, “I just think he’s going to bring a lot of things. A lot of good things.”

At 30, Kamara noted his place in history.

“I’m the youngest sheriff in America,” he said while speaking to a standing-room-only crowd inside the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.

Among those watching was his aunt, Tenneh Kromah, Fanta’s mother.

“He fought for Fanta. I’m so happy for that. To get this position, I’m so happy,” she said.

Kamara pledged to honor that responsibility.

“I’ll make this promise to you guys. I promise to serve with integrity, accountability, and to make sure everybody in Delaware County is protected and served equally,” he said.

Kamara said his faith guides him, noting that his swearing-in also marked another milestone: he is the first Muslim sheriff in Delaware County.

He said he plans to focus on improving training within the department, modernizing the office and expanding community outreach.

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