SPONSOR:	Rep. Longhurst & Rep. Paradee & Sen. Poore

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 85 AS AMENDED BY HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1

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 10^th ranking cause of death in America and the 2^nd 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 Delaware Senate, one appointed by the President pro tempore and one appointed by the minority leader;

2. Two members of the Delaware House of Representatives, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one appointed by the minority leader;

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.