DE Governor Meyer Signs New Firearm Safety Laws for Delaware

State of DE - Governor Matt Meyer signed a new package of firearm safety bills today in Newark. He was joined by Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, Secretary Josh Bushweller, Attorney General Kathy Jennings, and several state lawmakers and advocates.

The new laws focus on tightening oversight of the firearms industry in Delaware. One of the bills, SB 300, requires anyone who sells or transfers firearms in the state to get a new dealer license through Delaware State Police. Dealers will also need training every two years, video surveillance that can identify buyers and sellers, and detailed sales records.

State police will now have the authority to inspect licensed dealers. Violations could lead to civil penalties, including the loss of a dealer's license.

Another bill, HB 418, deals with untraceable firearms. People who already own an unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver will have six months to bring it into compliance. That means either getting it serialized by a licensed dealer or manufacturer, or making it permanently inoperable.

The package also includes HB 369, which makes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety a permanent part of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The Governor first created that office through an executive order back in May of 2025.

Governor Meyer spoke about the reasoning behind the new laws. "This is about protecting our families and our communities. While Washington rolls back gun safety protections, Delaware is moving forward," said Governor Matt Meyer. "This legislation isn't the finish line; it's the start of the real work. None of it succeeds without implementation and shared responsibility, and that means dealers, advocates, and law enforcement all pulling in the same direction. We will keep working with all of them to keep our neighborhoods, schools, and places of worship safe."

Attorney General Kathy Jennings said her office will help enforce the new licensing rules. "These bills will save lives by helping law enforcement disrupt gun trafficking, even as federal enforcement fluctuates, and by investing in the tools and people we need to stop gun violence," said Attorney General Jennings.

Senator Dave Sokola, who pushed for the dealer licensing bill for years, called its passage the end of a long fight. "SB 300 is a vital component of our efforts to eradicate gun violence in Delaware. At the heart of this effort is a simple responsibility for gun dealers: to ensure firearms are stored securely, sold responsibly, and kept from falling into the wrong hands," said Senator Sokola.

National groups also praised the new laws. Marianna Mitchem of Everytown for Gun Safety, a former ATF investigator, said the changes fill a real gap in oversight. "In Delaware, where 130 dealers operate, a federal inspection might only occur once a decade. We cannot wait ten years to ensure a gun dealer is following the law," said Mitchem.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety will keep working with law enforcement, dealers, and community groups to put the new rules into place in the coming months.

Resources:
Senate Bill 300
House Bill 418
House Bill 369

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