Back to Delaware

HB414 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSING A DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSING A DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON.

Children Firearms
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Romer
Last action
2026-05-20
Official status
House Judiciary 5/12/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on how this change will affect existing cases or specify what happens if an adult and a minor are charged together.

Clarifying Court Jurisdiction for Possession of Destructive Weapons

This act specifies that cases involving adults who possess destructive weapons will be handled by Superior Court, while cases involving minors remain under the jurisdiction of Family Court.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the law to specify that only adult defendants charged with possessing a destructive weapon will be tried in Superior Court.
  • Keeps cases involving minor offenders related to possession of destructive weapons under the control of the Family Court.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People charged with possessing destructive weapons
  • Courts handling cases involving possession of destructive weapons

Terms To Know

Destructive weapon
A dangerous object or device, like a bomb or rocket launcher, which can cause serious harm.
Superior Court
The main trial court in Delaware that handles serious criminal cases and some civil matters.
Family Court
A special court in Delaware that deals with family-related issues, including juvenile delinquency cases.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if an adult and a minor are charged together.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect existing cases involving destructive weapons possession.
  • This act only applies to the state of Delaware.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-20 Delaware General Assembly

    Not Worked in Committee

  2. 2026-05-12 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSING A DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON.
This Act clarifies that the grant of exclusive jurisdiction to the Superior Court over violations of 11 Del C. § 1444 (possessing a destructive weapon), applies only to an adult defendant. Jurisdiction over minors remains with the Family Court.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Romer & Sen. Pinkney

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 414

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSING A DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON.

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

Section 1. Amend § 1444, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1444. Possessing a destructive weapon; class E felony.

(d) The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over

offenses

an offense

under this

section.

section committed by an adult.

SYNOPSIS

This Act clarifies that the grant of exclusive jurisdiction to the Superior Court over violations of 11 Del C. § 1444 (possessing a destructive weapon), applies only to an adult defendant. Jurisdiction over minors remains with the Family Court.