Signed by Governor John Carney, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that increases the minimum age to handle and purchase firearms from 18 to 21-years-old.

Highlights:

• Exempts police officers from the offense of dangerous weapon dealing (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Increases, from 18 to 21, minimum age for firearm purchase (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Authorizes supervised recreational firearm use by underage persons, including for hunting (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Authorizes underage use of firearms as self-defense (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Repeals the previous age limit increase to instead allow individuals over the age of 18 to own and operate firearms (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that a person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a dangerous weapon if the person is not a law enforcement officer and any of the following is the case (Sec. 1, Pg. 2):

• If a person possesses, sells, or has control over a compressed air powered BB gun, paintball gun, or air gun that discharges a .177 caliber shot or lower;

• If a any person, including law enforcement, sells or transfers a BB gun, air gun, or spear gun to under the age of 16 without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian and without supervision of someone 21 years old or older;

• If any person, including law enforcement, sells or gives a firearm or firearm ammunition to a person under the age of 21; or

• If a person knowingly gives or sells a firearm to a person who intends to commit a felony.

• Specifies that violators of this act between the ages of 15 and 18 are subject to a minimum 6 months of level V incarceration for their first offense and 1 year for each added offense (Sec. 1, Pgs. 3 & 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that increases the minimum age to handle and purchase firearms from 18 to 21-years-old.

Highlights:

• Exempts police officers from the offense of dangerous weapon dealing (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Increases, from 18 to 21, minimum age for firearm purchase (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Authorizes supervised recreational firearm use by underage persons, including for hunting (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Authorizes underage use of firearms as self-defense (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Repeals the previous age limit increase to instead allow individuals over the age of 18 to own and operate firearms (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that a person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a dangerous weapon if the person is not a law enforcement officer and any of the following is the case (Sec. 1, Pg. 2):

• If a person possesses, sells, or has control over a compressed air powered BB gun, paintball gun, or air gun that discharges a .177 caliber shot or lower;

• If a any person, including law enforcement, sells or transfers a BB gun, air gun, or spear gun to under the age of 16 without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian and without supervision of someone 21 years old or older;

• If any person, including law enforcement, sells or gives a firearm or firearm ammunition to a person under the age of 21; or

• If a person knowingly gives or sells a firearm to a person who intends to commit a felony.

• Specifies that violators of this act between the ages of 15 and 18 are subject to a minimum 6 months of level V incarceration for their first offense and 1 year for each added offense (Sec. 1, Pgs. 3 & 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the minimum age to handle and purchase firearms from 18 to 21-years-old.

Highlights:

• Exempts police officers from the offense of dangerous weapon dealing (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Increases, from 18 to 21, minimum age for firearm purchase (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Authorizes supervised recreational firearm use by underage persons, including for hunting (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Authorizes underage use of firearms as self-defense (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Repeals the previous age limit increase to instead allow individuals over the age of 18 to own and operate firearms (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that a person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a dangerous weapon if the person is not a law enforcement officer and any of the following is the case (Sec. 1, Pg. 2):

• If a person possesses, sells, or has control over a compressed air powered BB gun, paintball gun, or air gun that discharges a .177 caliber shot or lower;

• If a any person, including law enforcement, sells or transfers a BB gun, air gun, or spear gun to under the age of 16 without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian and without supervision of someone 21 years old or older;

• If any person, including law enforcement, sells or gives a firearm or firearm ammunition to a person under the age of 21; or

• If a person knowingly gives or sells a firearm to a person who intends to commit a felony.

• Specifies that violators of this act between the ages of 15 and 18 are subject to a minimum 6 months of level V incarceration for their first offense and 1 year for each added offense (Sec. 1, Pgs. 3 & 4).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text