Del. Senate passes bill to raise legal purchasing age for firearms

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Senate has passed legislation to raise the legal purchasing age for all firearms to 21.

Federal law requires a buyer to be at least 21 years old for all handgun purchases but only 18 for long guns. State law mirrors these requirements.

House Bill 451 would increase the age at which a person could buy a long gun from 18 to 21. It would allow limited exceptions for shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles and related ammunition. Additionally, active military members, National Guard members, law enforcement officers, and those with concealed-carry licenses who are 18 years or older would be exempted. The bill would also allow a person under the age of 21 to possess or control a firearm for hunting as long as they are under the direct supervision of someone over the age of 21.

An amendment added by the Senate would prevent people currently between the ages of 18 and 21 who already own legally purchased firearms from being subject to criminal charges for possessing those weapons. The amendment also makes it clear that Delawareans under the age of 21 are permitted to safely transport those weapons for the purpose of participating in hunting, target shooting, and other exempted activities.

The amended bill now heads back to the House, which overwhelmingly passed the original version on June 14th. HB451 is one of three gun safety bills awaiting final passage in the House.