SB163 Summary

• Prohibits the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, receipt, possession, or transport of assault weapons in Delaware, effective 60 days after enactment.

• Defines "assault weapons" to include specific named assault long guns and assault pistols, plus "copycat weapons" (semiautomatic centerfire rifles with detachable magazines and certain features, short-barreled rifles, shotguns with folding stocks, and revolving cylinder shotguns).

• Exempts law enforcement, military personnel, government officials, licensed firearms dealers selling out-of-state, and individuals who lawfully possessed assault weapons before the effective date (though with restrictions on where they can be possessed and transported).

• Allows individuals with pre-existing assault weapons to possess them only at residences, places of business, shooting ranges, firearms exhibitions, or during lawful transport between these locations; weapons must be unloaded and secured in vehicles.

• Establishes violations as a Class F felony for first offense and Class E felony for subsequent offenses within 10 years; also adds assault weapons violations to Safe School and Recreation Zone weapons prohibitions.