AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING DEADLY WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS.

Plain English Breakdown

The official status indicates the bill passed the Senate but does not confirm final enactment or an effective date.

HB427: Firearm Rules for Hunters Ages 16 to 17

This bill allows people aged 16 and 17 in Delaware to possess a firearm while hunting or target practicing without an adult supervisor if they have finished hunter safety training, hold a valid license, and have parental permission.

What This Bill Does

• Removes the rule requiring direct supervision by someone age 21 or older for hunters ages 16 to 17 when specific conditions are met.
• Allows teens in this age group to possess firearms while hunting or target practicing if their parent or guardian gives permission.
• Requires these individuals to complete a Delaware-approved Basic Hunter Education Course.
• Mandates that they must have and carry a valid Delaware Hunting License, either digitally or physically.

Who It Names or Affects

• Residents of Delaware who are between the ages of 16 and 17.
• Parents or guardians of these individuals whose permission is required for firearm possession.
• The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, which issues licenses.

Terms To Know

Direct Supervision

Having an adult age 21 or older present to watch over the person with the firearm.

Basic Hunter Education Course

A required class that teaches safety, ethics, gun handling, marksmanship, wildlife laws, and survival skills.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill only applies to hunting or target practicing as defined by state law.
• It does not change rules for people younger than 16 or older than 17.
• The effective date of the new rule is not listed in the provided text.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING DEADLY WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS.
Hunting and those permitted to hunt in Delaware are strictly regulated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (the "Department"). Federal and Delaware law and Department regulations specifically regulate and strictly limit the dates, times, locations, methods, and types of firearms or projectile weapons permitted to be used to hunt in Delaware. Every individual age 16 to 17 is required to take a Delaware approved Basic Hunter Education Course administered by the Department prior to the issuance of a Delaware Hunting License. A Delaware approved Basic Hunter Education Course teaches young hunters safety, ethics, firearm types, safe gun handling, marksmanship techniques, specialty hunting techniques, wildlife management, wildlife identification, survival, and compliance with hunting laws and regulation.
This bill establishes that individuals aged 16 to 17 may possess a firearm while hunting without the direct supervision of a person 21 years or older, provided they have completed a Delaware approved Basic Hunter Education Course and have been issued and are digitally or physically in possession of a valid Delaware Adult Hunting License issued by the Department.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Spiegelman & Rep. Carson & Sen. Pettyjohn

Reps. Harris, Hensley, Morris, D. Short, Yearick, Shupe; Sens. Buckson, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 427

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING DEADLY WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend § 1445, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

(6) Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, the requirement for direct supervision of persons ages 16 to 17 in possession of a firearm while target practicing or hunting, as defined in § 101(4) of Title 7, shall not be applicable so long as a parent or guardian permits the 16 to 17 year old person to have possession of a firearm; provided, the 16 to 17 year old has completed a Delaware approved Basic Hunter Education Course pursuant to § 501 and 506 of Title 7 and has been issued and is digitally or physically in possession of a valid Delaware Hunting License issued by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

SYNOPSIS

Hunting and those permitted to hunt in Delaware are strictly regulated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (the "Department"). Federal and Delaware law and Department regulations specifically regulate and strictly limit the dates, times, locations, methods, and types of firearms or projectile weapons permitted to be used to hunt in Delaware. Every individual age 16 to 17 is required to take a Delaware approved Basic Hunter Education Course administered by the Department prior to the issuance of a Delaware Hunting License. A Delaware approved Basic Hunter Education Course teaches young hunters safety, ethics, firearm types, safe gun handling, marksmanship techniques, specialty hunting techniques, wildlife management, wildlife identification, survival, and compliance with hunting laws and regulation.

This bill establishes that individuals aged 16 to 17 may possess a firearm while hunting without the direct supervision of a person 21 years or older, provided they have completed a Delaware approved Basic Hunter Education Course and have been issued and are digitally or physically in possession of a valid Delaware Adult Hunting License issued by the Department.