HB 4 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO WEAPONS.

Summary

This Act amends Chapters 1, 5, 7, and 17 of Title 7 of the Delaware Code to be consistent with the recent legislative change of the definition of a firearm in Title 11. This Act is needed to address public safety and enforcement concerns. Archery equipment and air guns are no longer classified as firearms and the proposed amendments would continue to make certain actions and activities with these “projectile weapons” prohibited, such as having these weapons loaded or discharged from a vehicle, road, or within a designated safety zone. The Act recognizes that there are certain actions and activities with “projectile weapons,” that should continue to be prohibited even though they are no longer classified as “firearms.” This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to expand the scope of an existing crime within the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, or Justice of the Peace Court. Section 1309 of Title 7 of the Delaware Code provides that the Justice of the Peace Court has jurisdiction of the offenses being amended by this Act.

Bill Text

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends Title 7 of the Delaware Code to update various definitions and regulations regarding firearms and projectile weapons in light of a recent legislative change.

• § 101

  “Firearm” means as defined under § 222 of Title 11.

  Removes the previous definition of 'firearm' and replaces it with updated language.

• § 101

  “Projectile weapon” means as defined under § 222 of Title 11.

  Updates the definition of 'projectile weapon' to reflect changes in law.

• § 512

  firearms or projectile weapons while hunting → firearms or projectile weapons while hunting

  Clarifies the prohibition on dangerous behavior involving projectile weapons during hunting.

• § 707

  firearms or projectile weapons → firearms or projectile weapons

  Strengthens the prohibition against shooting protected wildlife from vehicles.

• § 708

  firearm or projectile weapon → shotgun or rifle firearm or projectile weapon

  Specifies restrictions on possessing loaded firearms and projectile weapons in vehicles.

• § 710

  firearm or airgun → gun, rifle or firearm or airgun

  Clarifies language regarding the use of silencers on firearms.

• § 719

  firearm or projectile weapon → firearm or projectile weapon

  Updates the language to specify the prohibition of discharge near public roads.

• § 722

  firearms → firearms, projectile weapons,

  Updates rules regarding hunting at nighttime with the use of lights.

• § 723

  airgun → airgun

  Defines restrictions on discharging a firearm near occupied buildings.

• § 1707

  firearm or projectile weapon → firearm or projectile weapon

  Prohibits carrying weapons while training dogs in a closed game season.

Action History

1. August 20, 2025

   Signed by Governor

2. July 01, 2025

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

3. May 14, 2025

   Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

4. March 18, 2025

   Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate

5. March 18, 2025

   Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 5 ABSENT

6. March 12, 2025

   Reported Out of Committee (Natural Resources & Energy) in House with 1 Favorable, 11 On Its Merits

7. January 09, 2025

   Introduced and Assigned to Natural Resources & Energy Committee in House

Sponsors

• Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
• William J. Carson · Primary
• Jeffrey N. Spiegelman · Primary

Votes

Subjects