Delaware News

Safety and Homeland Security Continues Issuing Assault Weapon Certificates of Possession by Appointment

Department of Safety and Homeland Security | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, June 14, 2023



The Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) is encouraging any Delaware resident interested in receiving an assault weapon certificate of possession in accordance with the Delaware Firearms Safety Act of 2022 to take action by making an appointment with the State Bureau of Identification.

Over the past three weeks, DSHS provided Delaware residents with opportunities in each county to obtain an assault weapon certificate of possession. To accommodate residents who were unable to participate in these public events, DSHS will issue certificates by appointment through June 30, 2023.

Residents can schedule an appointment by emailing DEFirearmSafetyAct2022@Delaware.gov or by calling (302) 744-2680. Appointments will be held at the DSP State Bureau of Identification at 600 Bay Road, Suite 1B, in Dover. After June 30, 2023, residents who inherit an assault weapon purchased prior to June 30, 2022 can make an appointment to receive a certificate.

The Delaware Lethal Firearms Safety Act of 2022 prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, receipt, possession, or transport of assault weapons in the state, subject to certain exceptions. One exception is for individuals who lawfully possessed or had completed a purchase of the weapon before June 30, 2022.

This process is voluntary. The Certificate of Possession constitutes “conclusive evidence” that a person lawfully possessed or had completed a purchase of an assault weapon before June 30, 2022, and is entitled to possess and transport the weapon on or after that date.

To receive a certificate of possession, residents must present the following documentation:
• A valid Delaware driver’s license, Delaware identification card, or United States passport.
• A dated bill of sale, receipt of purchase, or record of transfer from a licensed firearms dealer for weapons that were purchased that reflect a completed sale or possession prior to June 30, 2022.
• For inherited weapons, a will or other documentation substantiating that the weapon was received through inheritance.
• DSHS will not maintain any record of the issuance of the certificate, as required by the Act.
• Residents must bring the weapons for which the certificate of possession is sought, but all
weapons must be unloaded and left secured in their vehicles. Residents must enter the
building unarmed.

Residents are encouraged to review 83 Del. Laws, c. 328, § 1 for more information on the Act.

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Safety and Homeland Security Continues Issuing Assault Weapon Certificates of Possession by Appointment

Department of Safety and Homeland Security | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, June 14, 2023



The Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) is encouraging any Delaware resident interested in receiving an assault weapon certificate of possession in accordance with the Delaware Firearms Safety Act of 2022 to take action by making an appointment with the State Bureau of Identification.

Over the past three weeks, DSHS provided Delaware residents with opportunities in each county to obtain an assault weapon certificate of possession. To accommodate residents who were unable to participate in these public events, DSHS will issue certificates by appointment through June 30, 2023.

Residents can schedule an appointment by emailing DEFirearmSafetyAct2022@Delaware.gov or by calling (302) 744-2680. Appointments will be held at the DSP State Bureau of Identification at 600 Bay Road, Suite 1B, in Dover. After June 30, 2023, residents who inherit an assault weapon purchased prior to June 30, 2022 can make an appointment to receive a certificate.

The Delaware Lethal Firearms Safety Act of 2022 prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, receipt, possession, or transport of assault weapons in the state, subject to certain exceptions. One exception is for individuals who lawfully possessed or had completed a purchase of the weapon before June 30, 2022.

This process is voluntary. The Certificate of Possession constitutes “conclusive evidence” that a person lawfully possessed or had completed a purchase of an assault weapon before June 30, 2022, and is entitled to possess and transport the weapon on or after that date.

To receive a certificate of possession, residents must present the following documentation:
• A valid Delaware driver’s license, Delaware identification card, or United States passport.
• A dated bill of sale, receipt of purchase, or record of transfer from a licensed firearms dealer for weapons that were purchased that reflect a completed sale or possession prior to June 30, 2022.
• For inherited weapons, a will or other documentation substantiating that the weapon was received through inheritance.
• DSHS will not maintain any record of the issuance of the certificate, as required by the Act.
• Residents must bring the weapons for which the certificate of possession is sought, but all
weapons must be unloaded and left secured in their vehicles. Residents must enter the
building unarmed.

Residents are encouraged to review 83 Del. Laws, c. 328, § 1 for more information on the Act.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.