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

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Carson and 11 co-sponsors

HB 427 would modify Delaware's weapon laws by redefining deadly weapons and dangerous instruments, altering offense elements, penalties, and related procedures.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 6 NO 1 ABSENT

Overview

HB 427 (Session 153, Delaware) proposes amendments to Title 11 of the Delaware Code, which governs offenses involving deadly weapons and dangerous instruments. The bill was introduced on May 19, 2026, and assigned to the Natural Resources & Energy Committee in the House. The measure has a broad list of co-sponsors.

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to modify existing statutes related to deadly weapons and dangerous instruments. While the exact language of the amendments is not provided here, the reference to Title 11 indicates changes intended to redefine, expand, or clarify criminal offenses involving weapons or dangerous tools, and potentially the penalties, definitions, or procedures associated with those offenses.

Key Provisions (What the bill would change)

The proposed amendments would alter one or more sections within Title 11 dealing with:

Definitions of deadly weapons and dangerous instruments
Elements of offenses (what constitutes unlawful possession, use, or transfer)
Permissible defenses or aggravating factors
Penalties or sentencing enhancements
Procedures related to charging, evidentiary standards, or burden of proof

Specific provisions (such as new offenses, reclassifications, or changes in firearm or weapon-related penalties) are not detailed in the summary provided. The bill’s title and committee assignment suggest focused updates to how deadly weapons and dangerous instruments are regulated in Delaware criminal law.

Who Would Be Affected

Individuals and entities implicated by titles in Delaware’s criminal code on weapons and dangerous instruments, including:

Offenders charged with weapons offenses
Law enforcement and prosecutors (who would apply new definitions, elements, and penalties)
Defendants relying on weapon-related defenses or exemptions
Victims or communities affected by weapon-related crime, through possible changes in penalties or deterrence

The Natural Resources & Energy Committee’s involvement could indicate a potential intersection with weapons offenses involving natural resources, environmental offenses, or tools used in resource-related activities, though this is speculative without the bill’s text.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Introduced and assigned to the Natural Resources & Energy Committee (House) on 2026-05-19.

Next steps: The committee would typically review, hold hearings, and may amend the bill before sending it to the full House for consideration. If passed, it would move to the Senate (or further legislative steps per Delaware’s bill process).

No explicit effective date is provided in the summary; final enactment would depend on the standard legislative timeline and any specified enactment or sunset provisions within the bill.

Notes for Further Review

The exact text of HB 427 is needed to identify precise changes (e.g., new offenses, altered penalties, or revised definitions). Reading the bill’s language would clarify how it modifies the current code, including any fiscal impact, retroactivity, or transitional provisions.

Stakeholders to watch include criminal justice professionals, preyed-upon communities in weapon-crime contexts, and organizations focused on public safety and resource management (given the committee assignment).