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Información Legal: Delaware

State Gun Laws

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Actualizada: 
26 de marzo de 2024

If the abuser's gun(s) is taken away, what will happen to it?

Delaware state law says that if a judge orders a firearm removed as part of an order of protection from abuse, the firearm must be turned in to the sheriff, constable or to a police officer.1  The judge also has the power to issue an order directing any law-enforcement agency to search for and seize (take) the abuser’s firearms if certain circumstances are met.2  See I have an order of protection from abuse against the abuser. Can s/he keep a gun or buy a new gun? for more information.

1 10 Del. Code § 1045(a)(8)
2 10 Del. Code § 1045(a)(11)

Who do I notify if I think the abuser should not have a gun?

If you think the abuser is violating state firearm laws, you can call your local police or sheriff department or the State Police.  If you think the abuser is violating federal firearm laws, you can call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

You can find contact information for sheriff departments in your area on our DE Sheriff Departments page.

You can find ATF field offices in Delaware on the ATF website.  For reporting illegal firearm activity, a person can also call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).  Many ATF offices have victim advocates on staff (called “victim/witness coordinators”) and so perhaps you may ask to speak one of these advocates if you are having a hard time connecting with (or receiving a call back from) an ATF officer.

A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials.  You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our DE Advocates and Shelters page.

Note: Generally, the abuser does not have to have knowledge of the law in order to be arrested for breaking the law. If the abuser has or buys a gun in violation of the law, the abuser can be arrested, whether or not s/he knows that s/he was in violation of the law.1

1United States v. Lippman, 369 F. 3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2004); United States v. Henson, 55 F. Supp. 2d 528 (S.D. W.V. 1999)

What is the penalty for violating the federal and state firearm laws?

Under Delaware state law, anyone who is prohibited by law from possessing a deadly weapon can be guilty of a class C, D or F felony, punishable by incarceration. The length of time of incarceration depends on various factors - you can read about these factors in sections (c) through (g) of the law, 11 Del. Code § 1448, on our Selected Delaware Statutes page.1

Also, anyone who owns, has, or buys a gun in violation of the federal firearm law can be punished by a fine, jail time for up to 10 years, or both.2

1 11 Del. Code § 1448(c)-(g)
2 18 USC § 924(a)(2)

¿Qué pasará si el agresor intenta comprar un arma?

Antes de comprar un arma de fuego de un/a vendedor/a licenciado/a, todos los/las compradores/as deben someterse a un chequeo de antecedentes penales realizado por el Sistema Nacional de Chequeo Instantáneo de Antecedentes Penales (“National Instant Criminal Background Check System,” o “NICS” por sus siglas en inglés). El Sistema Nacional de Chequeo Instantáneo de Antecedentes Penales es utilizado por los/as licenciatarios/as federales de armas de fuego (“FFLs,” por sus siglas en inglés) para determinar de forma instantánea si alguien es elegible para recibir explosivos o armas de fuego.1 Si el/la agresor/a tiene una orden de protección calificada en su contra o, si ha sido sentenciado/a por un delito grave o un delito menos grave por violencia doméstica intrafamiliar en cualquier estado, esos registros deben estar en el NICS, lo cual debería imposibilitarle a el/la agresor/a comprar un arma de fuego. No todos los estados tienen un sistema automatizado de registro, lo que dificulta el proceso de verificación de antecedentes penales, por lo tanto, algunos criminales y agresores/as logran burlar el sistema. También es importante saber que no se necesita una verificación de antecedentes penales para ventas privadas y a través del Internet.

Si el/la agresor/a pudo comprar un arma y usted entiende que él/ella no debe tener una legalmente, usted puede avisarle a la policía y pedir que le quiten el arma y quizás ellos/as lo/a investigarán. Generalmente no es buena idea asumir que porque el/la agresor/a pudo comprar un arma, es legal que la tenga.

1National Criminal Justice Reference Service website