The Delaware State Police have been violating citizens’ rights and the law with a firearm purchase database discovered The News Journal. The violations? Not destroying purchase records, accessing citizens’ medical records, and denying lawful citizens the right to purchase a firearm for reasons such as gender and age.
The Delaware State Police maintain an instant check database where gun dealers can call to confirm a person is not prohibited from purchasing a firearm, such as someone who is a fugitive, a convicted felon or who has been adjudicated as being mentally ill. This program is called the Firearms Transaction Approval Program (FTAP). FTAP, however, has been violating laws and the rights of Delaware citizens, by going beyond the scope of their purpose with little, if any, oversight.
Recently it was discovered that FTAP was denying people their Second Amendment right to purchase and own a firearm because of gender and age. In one example uncovered by The News Journal, a senior citizen was denied the right to purchase a .22 revolver for self-defense because she was a woman and “too old.” The woman had a spotless criminal history, no history of mental illness, and by all accounts is a solid citizen.
It was also discovered that FTAP was maintaining records of firearms purchases, establishing a database of gun ownership, which is strictly prohibited by law. In fact, the law states FTAP must destroy records within 60 days of the transaction.
Additionally, FTAP was allowing law enforcement officers to access their databases for routine investigative work. This means that law enforcement officers, without the consent of the citizen, were accessing medical records not normally available to inspection by the government.
The Delaware State Police FTAP unit needs to be reigned in and placed under the same kind of scrutiny that they have been placing gun owners under. Contact Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Governor-elect Jack Markell, along with your state representatives, and let them know that these abuses must not continue!
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