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Good morning-

Attached please find a proposed bill to be introduced in the Delaware General Assembly by Rep. David Bentz. The bill is based on HB 88 that was a bill that Beau ran as Attorney General. Beau was deeply committed to this bill. While the bill passed the House nearly unanimous, we were not able to get the necessary votes in the Senate. In the time between the House and Senate votes a fringe 2nd amendment organization- Patriots 9-12- lobbied the Senate with false and misleading representations about the bill. You may recall that Beau went on national television to talk about this bill and the important public policy behind restrictions on gun possession by individuals suffering from mental illness.

Josh and I have been contacted by Governor Carney’s office regarding the bill. Governor Carney would like to name the bill after Beau because of Beau’s deep commitment and leadership on this issue. I do not have to tell any of you how important this issue remains. The plan is for the bill to be unveiled on January 16, 2018, so the time for decision on naming is quite short at this point. While this is certainly an honor, the bill is not a sure win at this point. The composition of the Delaware General Assembly has changed, although both houses remain democratic, in the Senate Democrats hold a one vote majority. I can tell you that the problem in 2013 was not the Republicans- it was a few Democrats. The bill will certainly garner significant interest and attention- no doubt Rep. Gabby Giffords will be involved and will contact the VP.

We do not make a recommendation at this time, but are happy to facilitate a discussion with the Governor’s office. The Governor’s policy director, Albert Shields, is happy to talk with any of you on this matter.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Best--
Patty and Josh


Patricia Dailey Lewis, Esquire
Executive Director
Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children

www.beaubidenfoundation.org <http://www.beaubidenfoundation.org/>
patty@beaubidenfoundation.org <mailto:patty@beaubidennfoundation.org>

“We have seen the progress that can be made when society commits to shining a bright light on a crime like domestic violence, and we are seeing the beginning of what can be accomplished if we continue shining that bright light on child abuse. As adults, we have a legal and moral obligation to stand up and speak out for children who are being abused. These children cannot speak for themselves.” —Beau Biden


> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: "Shields, Albert (Governor)" <Albert.Shields@state.de.us>
> Subject: Draft Firearm legislation
> Date: January 8, 2018 at 4:30:08 PM EST
> To: "patty@beaubidenfoundation.org" <patty@beaubidenfoundation.org>, "josh@beaubidenfoundation.org" <josh@beaubidenfoundation.org>, "Lewis, Lawrence (DOJ)" <Lawrence.Lewis@state.de.us>, "Starkey, Jonathan (Governor)" <Jonathan.Starkey@state.de.us>, "Bentz, David (LegHall)" <David.Bentz@state.de.us>
>
> Good afternoon,
> We’ve all been having separate conversations this afternoon, so this email will hopefully get us all on one thread.
>
> Attached is the draft legislation that Rep. Bentz is working on re: restricting access to firearms for those with mental illness. The policy is the same as HB 88 from the 147th General Assembly, which Beau Biden championed.
>
> As discussed, we’d like to name the legislation after Beau when it’s introduced later this month. Patty and Josh, thank you for sharing this with those at the foundation and with the Biden family that would need to be comfortable with it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if there are any questions or concerns.
>
> Thanks,
> Albert
>
> Albert Shields
> Policy Director
> Office of Governor John Carney
> 820 N. French St., 12th Floor
> Wilmington, DE 19801
> (302) 577-3210 office
> (302) 528-7671 cell
> Albert.Shields@state.de.us <mailto:Albert.Shields@state.de.us>
>