Source: https://amgoa.org/Delaware-Firearm-Laws
Timestamp: 2020-07-04 00:05:33
Document Index: 410905805

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Delaware Firearm Laws :: American Gun Owners Alliance
Firearm laws are posted here as a courtesy only and are updated as often as possible. Please check with the actual state website for any additions / revisions to law that may have been made. Up to date information can be found at http://delcode.delaware.gov/.
§11-5-1444 - (2018) Possessing a destructive weapon; class E felony
A person is guilty of possessing a destructive weapon when the person sells, transfers, buys, receives or has possession of any of the following:
A bombshell,
A machine gun or any other firearm or weapon which is adaptable for use as a machine gun.
Possessing a destructive weapon listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section is a class E felony. This section does not apply to members of the military forces or to members of a police force in this State duly authorized to carry a weapon of the type described; nor shall the provisions contained herein apply to authorized and certified (by an accredited state enforcement agency) state and federal wildlife biologists possessing firearm silencers for the purposes of wildlife disease or wildlife population control, or persons possessing machine guns for scientific or experimental research and development purposes, which machine guns have been duly registered under the National Firearms Act of 1968 (26 U.S.C. §5801 et seq.).
A person who is convicted of only having possession of a destructive weapon listed under paragraph (a)(6) of this section commits the following:
A Class B misdemeanor for a first offense.
The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over offenses under this section.
Any destructive weapon as defined in (a)(6) of this section shall be relinquished to a law-enforcement agency of this state and may be destroyed by the law-enforcement agency 30 days after relinquishment.
Relinquishment to a law-enforcement agency is not a transfer or evidence of possession under paragraph (a)(6) of this section.
History: 11 Del. C. 1953, §1444; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, §1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 547, §12; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, §8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 411, §1.; 81 Del. Laws, c. 269, §§? 1-3, 5, 6.;
§11-5-1447 - (2017) Possession of a deadly weapon during commission of a felony; class B felony
Every person charged under this section over the age of 16 years may be tried as an adult pursuant to §§1010 and 1011 of Title 10, notwithstanding any contrary provision of statutes governing the Family Court or any other state law.
11 Del. C. 1953, §1447; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, §1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 203, §34; 59 Del. Laws, c. 547, §15; 60 Del. Laws, c. 306, §§1, 2; 63 Del. Laws, c. 412, §1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, §8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 107, §1.; 81 Del. Laws, c. 199, § 3.;
§11-5-1448 - (2018) Possession and purchase of deadly weapons by persons prohibited; penalties
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the following persons are prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a deadly weapon or ammunition for a firearm within the State:
Any person who meets any of the following:
Has been involuntarily committed for a mental condition under Chapter 50 of Title 16, unless the person can demonstrate that the person is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm under § 1448A(l) of this title.
For a crime of violence, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity or guilty but mentally ill, including any juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity or guilty but mentally ill, unless such person can demonstrate that he or she is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm under § 1448A(l) of this title.
For a crime of violence, has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial, including any juvenile who has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial, unless there has been a subsequent finding that the person has become competent, or unless such person can demonstrate that he or she is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm under § 1448A(l) of this title.
Is the subject of an order of relinquishment issued under § 1448C of this title.
Was committed by a member of the victim's family, as "family" is defined in §901(12) of Title 10 (regardless, however, of the state of residence of the parties); by a former spouse of the victim; by a person who cohabited with the victim at the time of or within 3 years prior to the offense; or by a person with a child in common with the victim or by a person with whom the victim had a substantive dating relationship, as defined in § 1041(2)b. of Title 10, at the time of or within 3 years prior to the offense; and
Upon conviction, any person who is a prohibited person as described in paragraph (a)(5) of this section and who is 15 years of age or older is declared a child in need of mandated institutional treatment and shall for a first offense, receive a minimum sentence of 6 months of Level V incarceration or institutional confinement, and shall receive a minimum sentence of 1 year of Level V incarceration or institutional confinement for a second and subsequent offense, which shall not be subject to suspension. Any sentence imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to §§4205(b) and 4215 of this title.
History: 11 Del. C. 1953, §1448; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, §1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, §8; 68 Del. Laws, c. 422, §1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 313, §§1, 2; 69 Del. Laws, c. 441, §1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 230, §§1-5; 71 Del. Laws, c. 358, §§1, 2; 72 Del. Laws, c. 61, §§1, 2; 74 Del. Laws, c. 106, §7; 75 Del. Laws, c. 78, §1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 99, §1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 101, §§1-5; 78 Del. Laws, c. 13, §§5, 6; 78 Del. Laws, c. 135, §§6-8; 78 Del. Laws, c. 137, §5; 78 Del. Laws, c. 168, §6; 79 Del. Laws, c. 124, §§1, 2; 79 Del. Laws, c. 188, §1.; 80 Del. Laws, c. 190, § 2; 81 Del. Laws, c. 232, § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 253, § 2; 81 Del. Laws, c. 274, § 3.;
Relief from Disabilities Program. -- A person who is subject to the disabilities of 18 U.S.C. §922(d)(4) and (g)(4) or of §1448(a)(2) of this title, except a person subject to an order for relinquishment under § 1448C(d)(1) of this title because of an adjudication or commitment under the laws of this State may petition for relief from a firearms prohibition from the Relief from Disabilities Board. The Relief from Disabilities Board shall be comprised of 3 members, with the chairperson appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, and 2 members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, 1 of whom shall be a licensed psychiatrist.
History: 67 Del. Laws, c. 414, §1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 224, § 3; 69 Del. Laws, c. 293, §§ 1-5; 70 Del. Laws, c. 20, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 104, § 1; 78 Del. Laws, c. 137, §§ 6-13; 79 Del. Laws, c. 20, §§ 2-7; 2016 HB325 § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 232, § 2.
§11-5-1448B - (2017) Criminal history record checks for sales of firearms -- Unlicensed persons
Transactions in which the potential purchaser or transferee is a qualified law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 1441A of this title, or a qualified retired law-enforcement officer, as defined in §1441B of this title;
History: 79 Del. Laws, c. 20, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 80 Del. Laws, c. 273, § 2; 81 Del. Laws, c. 79, § 14.;
§11-5-1448C - (2019) Civil procedures to relinquish firearms or ammunition
"Ammunition" means as defined in § 1448(c) of this title.
"Dangerous to others" means that by reason of mental condition there is a substantial likelihood that the person will inflict serious bodily harm upon another person within the reasonably foreseeable future. This determination must take into account a person's history, recent behavior, and any recent act or threat.
"Dangerous to others or self" means as "dangerous to others" and "dangerous to self" are defined in this subsection.
"Dangerous to self" means that by reason of mental condition there is a substantial likelihood that the person will sustain serious bodily harm to oneself within the reasonably foreseeable future. This determination must take into account a person's history, recent behavior, and any recent act or threat.
"Law-enforcement agency" means an agency established by this State, or by any county or municipality within this State, to enforce criminal laws or investigate suspected criminal activity.
If, after October 30, 2018, a law-enforcement agency receives a written report about an individual under § 5402 or § 5403 of Title 16, the law-enforcement agency shall determine if there is probable cause that the individual is dangerous to others or self and in possession of firearms or ammunition.
If the law-enforcement agency determines that there is probable cause that the individual is dangerous to others or self and in possession of firearms or ammunition, the law-enforcement agency shall do both of the following:
Immediately seek an order from the Justice of the Peace Court that the individual relinquish any firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual.
Immediately refer the report under § 5402 or § 5403 of Title 16 and its investigative findings to the Department of Justice.
In making the probable cause determination under paragraph (b)(1)a. of this section, a law-enforcement agency must determine if the individual is subject to involuntary commitment under § 5009, §?5011, or §?5013 of Title 16. If the individual is subject of involuntary commitment, the law-enforcement agency may not seek an order under this paragraph (b)(1).
The Department of Justice may, upon review of the report and the law-enforcement agency's investigative findings, petition the Superior Court for an order that the individual relinquish any firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual. The Department of Justice must file 1 of the following with the Superior Court within 30 days after the entry of the Justice of the Peace Court's order under paragraph (d)(1) of this section:
A petition under this paragraph (b)(2).
A petition requesting additional time to file a petition under this paragraph (b)(2) for good cause shown.
If the Superior Court denies the Department of Justice's request for additional time to file a petition under this paragraph (b)(2)b., the Department of Justice has either the remainder of the 30 days provided by this paragraph (b)(2) or 7 days from the date of the Superior Court's denial, whichever is longer, to file a petition with Superior Court under this paragraph (b)(2).
If the Superior Court approves the Department of Justice's request for additional time to file a petition under this paragraph (b)(2)b., the Court may not grant the Department more than 15 days to file the petition from the date of the Court's approval.
If the Department of Justice does not file a petition with Superior Court under paragraph (b)(2) of this section within the timeframes under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the Justice of the Peace Court's order is void and a law-enforcement agency holding the firearms or ammunition of the individual subject to the order must return the firearms or ammunition to the individual.
The following procedures govern a proceeding under paragraph (b)(1)a. of this section:
The Justice of the Peace Court shall immediately hear a request for an order under paragraph (b)(1)a. of this section.
The law enforcement agency has the burden of demonstrating that proof by a preponderance of the evidence exists to believe that the individual subject to a report under § 5402 or § 5403 of Title 16 is dangerous to others or self and in possession of firearms or ammunition.
The individual does not have the right to be heard or to notice that the law-enforcement agency has sought an order under paragraph (b)(1)a. of this section.
The following procedures govern a proceeding under paragraph (b)(2) of this section:
The individual has the right to be heard.
If a hearing is requested, it must be held within 15 days of the Department of Justice's filing of the petition under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, unless extended by the Court for good cause shown.
If a hearing is held, the individual has the right to notice of the hearing, to present evidence, and to cross examine adverse witnesses.
If a hearing is held, the hearing must be closed to the public and testimony and evidence must be kept confidential, unless the individual requests the hearing be public.
If a hearing is held, the hearing must be on the record to allow for appellate review.
The Department of Justice has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is dangerous to others or self.
The Justice of the Peace Court may adopt additional rules governing proceedings under paragraph (b)(1)a. of this section.
The Superior Court may adopt additional rules governing proceedings under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
If the Justice of the Peace Court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that an individual is dangerous to others or self, the Court shall order the individual to relinquish any firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual. The Court may do any of the following through its order:
Require the individual to relinquish to a law-enforcement agency receiving the Court's order any firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual.
Prohibit the individual from residing with another individual who owns, possesses, or controls firearms or ammunition. Nothing in this section may be construed to impair or limit the rights, under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution or article I, § 20 of the Delaware Constitution, of an individual who is not the subject of the Court's order of relinquishment.
Direct a law-enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the individual resides or the firearms or ammunition are located to immediately search for and seize any firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual.
If the Superior Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that an individual is dangerous to others or self, the Court shall order the individual to relinquish any firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual. The Court may do any of the following through its order:
Allow the individual to voluntarily relinquish to a law-enforcement agency receiving the Court's order any firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual.
Allow the individual to relinquish firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual to a designee of the individual. A designee of the individual must not reside with the individual and must not be a person prohibited under § 1448 of this title. The Court must find that the designee of the individual will keep firearms or ammunition owned, possessed, or controlled by the individual out of the possession of the individual.
Direct a law-enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the individual resides or the firearms or ammunition are located to immediately search for and seize firearms or ammunition of the individual if the Department of Justice shows that the individual has ownership, possession, or control of a firearm or ammunition.
An individual subject to the Superior Court's order of relinquishment may petition the Relief from Disabilities Board for an order to return firearms or ammunition under § 1448A(l) of this title.
If the basis for relinquishment under this section is removed by the Relief from Disabilities Board established by § 1448A(l) of this title, any firearms or ammunition taken from the individual must be restored in a timely manner without the additional requirement of petitioning under § 1448A(l) of this title.
Any party in interest aggrieved by a decision of the Superior Court's order of relinquishment under this section may appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
The State Police and the Department of Justice shall work with county and municipal law-enforcement agencies and the Department of Health and Social Services, and its Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, to develop appropriate internal policies and regulations to ensure that personnel who act under this section are trained on appropriate mental health risk assessment procedures and to look for histories of violence.
The Supreme Court, Superior Court, Justice of the Peace Court, Department of Justice, State Police, State Bureau of Identification, Delaware Criminal Justice Information System Board of Managers, and the Department of Health and Social Services may promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this section, § 1448(a)(2) of this title, and §§ 5402 and 5403 of Title 16.
81 Del. Laws, c. 232, § 2; 82 Del. Laws, c. 122, § 1.;
§11-5-1454 - Giving a firearm to person prohibited; class F felony
A person is guilty of giving a firearm to certain persons prohibited when the person sells, transfers, gives, lends or otherwise furnishes a firearm to a person knowing that said person is a person prohibited as is defined in § 1448 of this title.
Giving a firearm to certain persons prohibited is a class F felony.
68 Del. Laws, c. 47, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§11-5-1455 - Engaging in a firearms transaction on behalf of another; class E felony; class C felony
Engaging in a firearms transaction on behalf of another is a class E felony for the first offense, and a class C felony for each subsequent like offense.
69 Del. Laws, c. 220, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 228, § 1.;
§11-5-1456 - (2019) Unsafe storage of a firearm; class A or B misdemeanor
A person is guilty of unsafe storage of a firearm when the person intentionally or recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of an unauthorized person and the unauthorized person obtains the firearm, and all of the following do apply:
The firearm was not stored in a locked box or container.
The firearm was not disabled with a tamper-resistant trigger lock which was properly engaged so as to render the firearm inoperable by a person other than the owner or other lawfully-authorized user.
The firearm was not stored in a location that a reasonable person would have believed to be secure from access by an unauthorized person.
The unauthorized person did not obtain the firearm as the result of an unlawful entry by any person.
"Unauthorized person" means a child or person prohibited by state or federal law from owning or possessing a firearm.
"Stores or leaves" does not mean when the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully-authorized user.
Unsafe storage of a firearm is a class B misdemeanor if paragraphs (c)(2)a., b., or c. of this section do not apply.
Unsafe storage of a firearm is a class A misdemeanor if the unauthorized person does any of the following:
Commits or attempts to commit a crime with the firearm.
Uses the firearm to inflict serious physical injury or death upon any person, including the unauthorized person.
Transfers or attempts to transfer the firearm to another unauthorized person.
The Superior Court has jurisdiction over an offense under this section.
It is not an offense under this section if the firearm was manufactured in or before the year 1899 or is a replica of such firearm if the replica is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.
69 Del. Laws, c. 360, §1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §1.; 82 Del. Laws, c. 35, § 1.;
§11-5-1457 - (2017) Possession of a weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone; class D, E, or F: class A or B misdemeanor
In the event that an elementary or secondary school student possesses a firearm in a Safe School and Recreation Zone in addition to any other penalties contained in this section, the student shall be expelled by the local school board or charter school board of directors for a period of not less than 180 days unless otherwise provided for in federal or state law. The local school board or charter school board of directors may, on a case by case basis, modify the terms of the expulsion.
In the event that an elementary or secondary school student possesses a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a Safe School and Recreation Zone in addition or as an alternative to any other penalties contained in this section, the student may be suspended for a period of not less than 30 days unless otherwise provided for in federal or state law. The local school board or charter school board of directors may, on a case by case basis, modify the terms of the suspension.
History: 70 Del. Laws, c. 213, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 131, §§ 1-4; 76 Del. Laws, c. 326, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 64, §§ 1, 2; 77 Del. Laws, c. 313, §§ 4, 5; 81 Del. Laws, c. 99, § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 194, § 1.;