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DE HB4

Bill

Status

Passed

8/20/2025

Primary Sponsor

Jeffrey Spiegelman

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

153rd General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Adds definitions for "firearm" and "projectile weapon" to Title 7 (natural resources law) to align with recent changes to Title 11's definition of firearm, which reclassified archery equipment and air guns as separate from firearms

  • Extends hunting safety restrictions that previously applied only to firearms to also cover "projectile weapons" (bows, crossbows, air guns), including prohibitions on shooting from vehicles, boats, or farm machinery

  • Prohibits having loaded firearms or projectile weapons in vehicles, on farm machinery, or motorized boats for purposes of taking wildlife

  • Reduces the safety zone for hunting deer with projectile weapons (excluding airguns) to 50 yards from occupied dwellings, compared to 100 yards for firearms

  • Requires two-thirds vote for passage because it expands the scope of existing crimes within Justice of the Peace Court jurisdiction

Legislative Description

An Act To Amend Title 7 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Weapons.

Last Action

Signed by Governor

8/20/2025

Committee Referrals

Judiciary3/18/2025
Natural Resources & Energy1/9/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available