Sussex County moves to prohibit firearms
Story Location:
2 The Circle
Georgetown, DE
United States
An ordinance to prohibit firearms in Sussex County buildings was introduced Oct. 10 as county officials work to ramp up security in public buildings.
County Administrator Todd Lawson said security updates – trained guards, enhanced lighting, additional cameras, updated doors and new traffic patterns – recently have been in the works at the administration building, West Complex and county libraries.
“Over the past few years, the county has focused on improving the safety and security of our operations,” he said. “Feedback from our employees has been extremely positive.”
But officials cannot prohibit firearms without first passing an ordinance. A magnetometer, or metal detector, cannot be installed in the county administrative building until the ordinance is on the books, he said.
“The ordinance being introduced would allow the county to screen for and prohibit firearms, specifically, unless an individual is qualified by the state to carry a firearm,” he said.
However, until a state law was passed in 2015 giving municipalities and counties the authority to ban firearms, Sussex was unable to consider limiting guns in its public buildings. If the ordinance passes, Lawson said, he recommends it go into effect immediately.
“All other weapons, such as knives, can be prohibited through policy and procedure,” he said. State law still prohibits towns and municipalities from restricting guns held by concealed carry permit holders, law enforcement officers and other exceptions listed under Delaware state code.
Councilman Sam Wilson questioned why the county was even bothering to prohibit firearms.
“Is there a reason why we need to do this?” he asked. “Why should we spend all this extra money? For what? Do we find dangerous people coming in here with guns?”
Council President Michael Vincent said county employees are concerned about safety, prompting the security upgrades.
The ordinance to prohibit firearms, ammunition and explosives in county buildings requires an amendment to county code, Lawson said, and therefore requires a public hearing in front of council. No date has been set for the hearing.
