05/18/2026
Open letter to our Delaware Legislators regarding SS1 for SB300.
Good day, and thank you for your attention to this matter.
My name is Ron Hagan, my wife, Jennifer Hagan and I own Best Shot in Lewes, Delaware. We operate a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range, fi****ms training center, and pro shop, employing more than 30 full and part-time employees.
First, let me be clear: responsible gun owners — and especially federally licensed fi****ms dealers (FFLs) — support safety, training, and keeping fi****ms out of the hands of criminals. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 300 creates additional state licensing requirements, fees, security mandates, inspections, and administrative burdens on dealers who are already heavily regulated at the federal level.
The reality is simple: these added costs do not disappear. Businesses must remain financially viable, which means many of these expenses will ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher firearm prices, increased transfer fees, and additional costs. At the same time, this bill will place an already struggling industry into an even faster downward spiral, potentially forcing small family-owned businesses to close and putting hardworking, law-abiding Delaware residents out of work.
Like the Permit to Purchase law, this bill will disproportionately affect working-class citizens and lower-income families — especially those living in areas where they may lawfully seek a firearm for self-defense. Constitutional rights should never become something only financially comfortable individuals can afford to exercise.
The Second Amendment is a constitutional right. We firmly believe that adding more financial barriers and layers of government oversight directly infringes upon the rights of lawful citizens to purchase and possess fi****ms. This bill does nothing to stop criminals who already ignore existing laws.
FFLs already conduct background checks, maintain detailed records, comply with ATF inspections, and operate under strict federal regulations. Senate Bill 300 simply adds another layer of bureaucracy onto lawful businesses while potentially driving smaller dealers out of business altogether.
At the end of the day, this is not about politics. It is about protecting constitutional rights, supporting lawful businesses, and ensuring that self-defense does not become a privilege reserved only for those who can afford increasing costs and regulations.
In closing, I would also remind you that we are now nearly four years post-FTAP implementation, after spending more than $10 million, and the system is still not fully operational. As a retired Delaware State Trooper who regularly speaks with current Troopers, I can confidently say that creating another state unit to perform tasks already handled by the federal government is simply more wasted taxpayer money that Delaware neither needs nor can afford to spend. More bureaucracy will not reduce crime or prevent su***de.
Instead of continuing to target lawful gun owners and FFLs, we should focus on holding criminals accountable and ensuring that those who commit crimes with fi****ms are prosecuted and kept off our streets.
Thank you again for your time and consideration regarding this matter. I welcome each of you to visit our facility, meet the people affected by these policies, and see the human side of this issue rather than relying solely on the talking points of special interest groups that will not be impacted by these laws.
Respectfully,
Ron Hagan
