The state Senate voted mostly along party lines Tuesday to give final approval to two Democratic proposals further restricting gun ownership in Delaware.
The first measure prohibits the purchase or possession of a firearm by anyone who knows that he or she is the subject of a protection-from-abuse, or PFA, order. The purchase prohibition also applies to anyone who knows that he or she is the subject of an arrest warrant or indictment for any felony or any misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
The legislation extends the prohibition on gun purchases and possession involving protection-from-abuse orders to anyone who is subject to an ex-parte order, which is one requested by an opposing party without the subject’s knowledge and issued by the court when the subject of the order is not present.
Supporters of the measure say it closes a “loophole” for people who are subject to, but have knowledge of, ex-parte orders.
The legislation passed the House unanimously last month and cleared the Senate on a 14-6 vote. Sen. Ernesto Lopez, a Republican from Lewes, sided with majority Democrats on Tuesday, while Smyrna Democrat Bruce Ennis opted not to vote, despite being listed as a co-sponsor on the bill.
Lopez also joined Democrats in voting for a bill that outlaws so-called ghost guns that can’t be traced by law enforcement officials because they don’t have serial numbers.