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Delaware lawmakers have passed a dangerous bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to hunt with firearms and other weapons without direct adult supervision.

HS 1 for HB 427 with HA 1 is now awaiting action from Gov. Matt Meyer, who has the power to stop it. The bill would also allow teenagers to practice shooting with firearms, projectile weapons, and BB guns without an adult directly supervising them. Please urge Gov. Meyer to veto this reckless legislation before it becomes law!

Introduced by Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, HS 1 for HB 427 with HA 1 would remove Delaware's requirement that 16- and 17-year-olds be directly supervised by a person age 21 or older while hunting with firearms, projectile weapons or BB guns. Teenagers would instead be permitted to hunt without direct adult supervision if they have permission from a parent or guardian, have completed an approved hunter education course, and possess a valid Delaware hunting license.

The bill would also allow 16- and 17-year-olds to target practice with firearms, projectile weapons, or BB guns without direct adult supervision after receiving parental permission and completing a hunter education course.

A hunter education course cannot replace the immediate guidance, judgment and intervention of a responsible adult when a teenager is handling a deadly weapon. Removing direct supervision creates needless risks for wild animals, teenagers, and everyone sharing Delaware's outdoor spaces.

Supporters have framed the bill as a way to make hunting more accessible to younger people. That is no justification for eliminating a basic safety requirement or placing more wild animals in the sights of unsupervised teenage hunters.

Delaware's wild animals and communities should not be endangered to promote hunting. Gov. Meyer must veto HS 1 for HB 427 with HA 1

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Decision maker: Delware Governor Matt Meyer

Subject: Please Veto HS 1 for HB 427 with HA 1

As a Delaware resident, I urge you to veto HS 1 for HB 427 with HA 1.

This bill would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to hunt with firearms, BB guns, and projectile weapons without direct adult supervision. It would also allow them to practice shooting without a supervising adult after receiving permission from a parent or guardian and completing a hunter education course.

A hunter education course cannot replace the immediate guidance, judgment, and intervention of a responsible adult when a teenager is handling a dangerous weapon. Removing direct supervision would create needless risks for wild animals, teenagers, and everyone who lives near or uses Delaware’s outdoor spaces.

Efforts to make hunting more accessible to younger people do not justify eliminating this basic safeguard. Wild animals and communities should not be endangered to recruit a new generation of hunters or preserve a declining pastime.

Please veto HS 1 for HB 427 with HA 1 and keep Delaware’s direct adult supervision requirement in place.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.