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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) A person who is exempt from § 1466(a) of this title under § 1466(c)(3) of this title may, no later than June 30, 2023, apply to the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security for a certificate of possession.
(b) In a prosecution under § 1466 of this title, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant was lawfully in possession or had completed a purchase of the assault weapon prior to June 30, 2022. A certificate of possession is conclusive evidence that a person lawfully possessed or had completed a purchase of an assault weapon before June 30, 2022, and is entitled to continue to possess and transport the assault weapon on or after June 30, 2022, under § 1466(c)(3) of this title.
(c) The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security shall establish procedures with respect to the application for and issuance of certificates of possession for assault weapons that are lawfully owned and possessed before June 30, 2022. Rules and procedures under this subsection must include all of the following:
(1) That the application contain proof that the person lawfully possessed or had completed a purchase of an assault weapon before June 30, 2022.
(2) That the certificate of possession must contain a description of the assault weapon, including the make, model, and serial number. For an assault weapon manufactured before 1968, identifying marks may be substituted for the serial number.
(3) That the certificate of possession must contain the full name, address, date of birth, and thumbprint of the person who owns the assault weapon, and any other information the Secretary deems appropriate.
(4) That the Department will not retain copies of the certificate or other identifying information relating to any individual who applies for a voluntary certificate of possession.
(d) A person who inherits or receives a weapon from a family member that is lawfully possessed under § 1466(c)(3) of this title and lawfully transferred may apply for a certificate of possession within 60 days of taking possession of the weapon. To receive a certificate, the person must show that the transferor was lawfully in possession and that the person is the lawful recipient of the transfer.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 11. Crimes and Criminal Procedure § 1467. Voluntary certificate of possession - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-11-crimes-and-criminal-procedure/de-code-sect-11-1467/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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