SPONSOR: |
Rep. Longhurst & Rep. Paradee & Sen. Poore |
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 85 |
ESTABLISHING THE FIREARM SUICIDE PREVENTION TASK FORCE. |
WHEREAS, suicide takes the lives of over 42,000 people in the United States each year and is the 10th ranking cause of death in America and the 2nd ranking cause of death for young people; and
WHEREAS, the impact of suicide can have a tremendous and lasting effects on the surviving families, friends and communities; and
WHEREAS, firearms are the most common method of death by suicide, accounting for a 49.9% of all suicide deaths; and
WHEREAS, veteran suicide is a grave concern, with the military suicide rate double that of their civilian counterparts and accounting for 8,000 veteran deaths annually; and
WHEREAS, suicide is a preventable cause of death when the right resources and services are in place; and
WHEREAS, in March
2016, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation to raise awareness and increase suicide prevention
education among firearm owners by working closely with firearms dealers and
ranges;
NOW,
THEREFORE:
BE
IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148th General Assembly of
the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the Firearm Suicide
Prevention Task Force is hereby established to raise public awareness and
increase suicide prevention education.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the focus of the Task Force’s study, findings, and
recommendations include, but are not limited to:
1. Examining the current outreach, education
and training about suicide to firearm owners.
2. Review models from
other state’s work on suicide prevention among firearm owners.
3. Develop
recommendations to reduce suicides by firearms in Delaware.
4. Review ways to
connect mental health resources with at-risk populations.
5. Engage firearm advocates,
dealers and clubs in suicide prevention efforts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Firearm Suicide Prevention Task Force shall be composed of the following members:
1.
Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the
House;
2.
Two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore;
3.
A representative from the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;
4.
The President of the Delaware Sportsman Association or the President’s
designee:
5.
A representative from the National Rifle Association appointed by the Governor;
6.
A representative of the Commission of Veterans
Affairs appointed by the Governor;
7. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social
Services or the Secretary’s designee;
8. The Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth and
Families or the Secretary’s designee;
9. The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control or the Secretary’s designee;
9. Two Delaware firearm dealers appointed by the Governor;
and
10. Two representatives of suicide
prevention organizations, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one
appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that from among the appointed members, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives shall appoint a co-chair and the President Pro Tempore
of the Senate shall appoint a co-chair, and the co-chairs may add members to
the Task Force as they deem necessary.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore
of the Senate shall assign reasonable and necessary support staff for the Task
Force.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall convene in August 2016 and shall
submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the members of the
Delaware General Assembly by December 15, 2016.
SYNOPSIS
This Concurrent Resolution establishes the Firearm Suicide Prevention Task Force. |