HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 8

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 451

AMEND House Bill No. 451 by deleting lines 52 through 54 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“ c. Paragraph (a)(5) of this section shall not apply to any person under the age of 21 who does either of the following:

1. Possesses or controls a firearm for the purpose of engaging in lawful hunting, instruction, sporting, or recreational activity while under the direct supervision of a person 21 years of age or older.

2. Possesses or controls a firearm for the purpose of engaging in lawful hunting and is in compliance with § 704(g) of Title 7.

d. It is not a violation of paragraph (a)(5) of this section if a person under the age of 21 possesses or uses a firearm during the use of force upon or towards another person if such use of force is justifiable pursuant to § 464, § 465, § 466, or § 469 of Title 11. ”.

SYNOPSIS

This amendment adds that a person under the age of 21 may possess or control a firearm for the purpose of engaging in lawful hunting so long as the person is in compliance with already-existing Delaware law that identifies the firearm accoutrements, ammunition, and number of cartridges that may be used on specific lands during a particular hunting season. This amendment also makes clear that a person is not in violation of § 1448(a)(5) if the person possesses or uses a firearm during the use of force upon or towards another person if such use of force is justifiable for the protection of self or others or property.