AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

Firearms

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Gorman
Last action: 2026-05-14
Official status: Senate Corrections & Public Safety 5/14/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Creating an Office to Prevent Gun Violence

This bill creates a new office in Delaware's government to help prevent gun violence and improve community safety.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Designates a Director for this office who will work on issues related to gun violence prevention and community safety.
Requires state departments, agencies, interagency councils, and committees to cooperate with the new office.
Allows the Governor to appoint staff members to support the office's efforts.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security
State government officials involved in gun violence prevention

Terms To Know

Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety: A new office within the Delaware government that works to prevent gun violence and improve community safety.
Director: The person in charge of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, responsible for coordinating efforts related to gun violence prevention.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear how much funding will be provided for this new office.
The bill does not specify what actions community organizations must take in response to the new office's initiatives.

Bill History

2026-05-14 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By House. Votes: 27 YES 12 NO 2 ABSENT
2026-05-14 Delaware General Assembly
Assigned to Corrections & Public Safety Committee in Senate
2026-05-05 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 6 On Its Merits
2026-04-16 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.
This Act codifies Executive Order No. 9 issued on May 1, 2025, by Governor Matthew Meyer regarding the establishment, within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Gorman & Sen. Lockman

Reps. Morrison, Neal, Chukwuocha, Ortega, Harris; Sens. Sokola, Hansen

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 369

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 82, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

8239. Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

(a) There is hereby established, within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, an Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety (Office).

(b) The Secretary must designate a qualified individual from within the Department to serve as Director of the Office. The Director has the following duties:

(1) Serve as the primary intergovernmental liaison on matters related to gun violence and community safety.

(2) Facilitate coordination among state, county, and municipal governments.

(3) Serve as a liaison to community based and external organizations for state, county, and municipal programs.

(4) Promote interagency cooperation and responsiveness on gun violence and community safety matters.

(5) Serve as the coordinator for state governmental efforts addressing gun violence and community safety.

(6) Identify and report recurring gun violence issues across the State to the Secretary.

(c) The Governor may designate a staff member within the Office of the Governor to support the efforts of the Office and manage community engagement and outreach.

(d) The Office must advise and assist the Governor and the Secretary with respect to the following:

(1) Gun violence prevention and intervention efforts.

(2) The coordination of responsibilities outlined in subsection (b) of this section.

(e) All State departments, agencies, interagency councils, and committees with relevance to gun violence prevention and community safety must provide full cooperation and assistance to the Office. The Office may, upon request, assist departments and agencies with related matters.

SYNOPSIS

This Act codifies Executive Order No. 9 issued on May 1, 2025, by Governor Matthew Meyer regarding the establishment, within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.