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Stunning Gun Control Defeat in Delaware Legislature

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - A bill expanding the ability of Delaware authorities to prohibit people with mental health issues from having guns has gone down to a stunning defeat in the state Senate.

Senators voted 13-to-6 Thursday to reject the measure, dealing a blow to Attorney General Beau Biden's office, which pushed for its passage. The legislation cleared the House with only one dissenting vote.

The bill was pulled from the Senate agenda Tuesday, but the chief sponsor said he was unaware of any problems prior to its defeat Thursday.

The legislation required mental health providers to call police if they believe a person poses a danger to himself or others. Police would refer the case to the attorney general's office if they also believe the person shouldn't have access to guns.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.