Letter to the Editor: Reader wonders which weapons will be considered illegal under new law

Perhaps the Delaware State News would be so kind as to post the list of weapons our wonderful elected officials have deemed illegal. All we’ve heard is how great the legislation is and how it will reduce gun crime in the state. I just want to make sure my Red Rider BB Gun isn’t on the list.

You gotta love “feel good” legislation. Anyone with a bit of common sense knows it’s not gonna work. Criminals do not obey laws. All you’ve done is make an awful lot of law-abiding citizens become felons.

How about putting some bite into the punishment? No plea bargains. I recently read an article on plea bargains. I have heard it said that over 80% of guns crimes are plea-bargained down to a lesser crime. You gotta love the liberal mind.

Jerry Clifton

Felton

Editor’s note: The weapons included in the final/engrossed House Bill 450, listed below, can be found at the Delaware General Assembly’s website at here (then click on Bill Text).

Excerpted from House Bill No. 450 as amended by House Amendment No. 1
(starting at line 38)

1464. Legislative findings

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the proliferation and use of assault weapons poses a threat to the health, safety, and security of all citizens of this state. The Legislature has restricted the assault weapons specified in § 1465 of this title based upon finding that each firearm has such a high rate of fire and capacity for firepower that its potential function as a sports or recreational firearm is substantially outweighed by the danger that it can be used to kill and injure human beings. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to place restrictions on the possession and use of assault weapons. It is not, however, the intent of the Legislature by this chapter to place restrictions on the use of those weapons which are primarily designed and intended for hunting, target practice, or other legitimate sports or recreational activities.

1465. Definitions related to assault weapons.

For purposes of this section and § 1466 and § 1467 of this title:

(1) “Ammunition feeding device” means any magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that holds ammunition for a firearm.

(2) “Assault long gun” means any of the following or a copy, regardless of the producer or manufacturer:

1. American Arms Spectre da Semiautomatic carbine.
2. Avtomat Kalashnikov semiautomatic rifle in any format, including the AK-47 in all forms.
3. Algimec AGM-1 type semi-auto.
4. AR 100 type semi-auto.
5. AR 180 type semi-auto.
6. Argentine L.S.R. semi-auto.
7. Australian Automatic Arms SAR type semi-auto.
8. Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1 and 1927 semi-automatics.
9. Barrett light .50 cal. semi-auto.
10. Beretta AR70 type semi-auto.
11. Bushmaster semi-auto rifle.
12. Calico models M-100 and M-900.
13. CIS SR 88 type semi-auto.
14. Claridge HI TEC C-9 carbines.
15. Colt AR-15, CAR-15, and all imitations except Colt AR-15 Sporter H-BAR rifle.
16. Daewoo MAX 1 and MAX 2, aka AR 100, 110C, K-1, and K-2.
17. Dragunov Chinese made semi-auto.
18. Famas semi-auto (.223 caliber).
19. Feather AT-9 semi-auto.
20. FN LAR and FN FAL assault rifle.
21. FNC semi-auto type carbine.
22. F.I.E./Franchi LAW 12 and SPAS 12 assault shotgun.
23. Steyr-AUG-SA semi-auto.
24. Galil models AR and ARM semi-auto.
25. Heckler and Koch HK-91 A3, HK-93 A2, HK-94 A2 and A3.
26. Holmes model 88 shotgun.
27. Manchester Arms “Commando” MK-45, MK-9.
28. Mandell TAC-1 semi-auto carbine.
29. Mossberg model 500 Bullpup assault shotgun.
30. Sterling Mark 6.
31. P.A.W.S. carbine.
32. Ruger mini-14 folding stock model (.223 caliber).
33. SIG 550/551 assault rifle (.223 caliber).
34. SKS with detachable magazine.
35. AP-74 Commando type semi-auto.
36. Springfield Armory BM-59, SAR-48, G3, SAR-3, M-21 sniper rifle, and M1A, excluding the M1 Garand.
37. Street sweeper assault type shotgun.
38. Striker 12 assault shotgun in all formats.
39. Unique F11 semi-auto type.
40. Daewoo USAS 12 semi-auto shotgun.
41. UZI 9mm carbine or rifle.
42. Valmet M-76 and M-78 semi-auto.
43. Weaver Arms “Nighthawk” semi-auto carbine.
44. Wilkinson Arms 9mm semi-auto “Terry”.

 (2) “Assault pistol” means any of the following or a copy, regardless of the producer or manufacturer:

1. AA Arms AP-9 pistol.
2. Beretta 93R pistol.
3. Bushmaster pistol.
4. Claridge HI-TEC pistol.
5. D Max Industries pistol.
6. EKO Cobra pistol.
7. Encom MK-IV, MP-9, or MP-45 pistol.
8. Heckler and Koch MP5K, MP7, SP-89, or VP70 pistol.
9. Holmes MP-83 pistol.
10. Ingram MAC 10/11 pistol and variations, including the Partisan Avenger and the SWD Cobray.
11. Intratec TEC-9/DC-9 pistol in any centerfire variation.
12. P.A.W.S. type pistol.
13. Skorpion pistol.
14. Spectre double action pistol (Sile, F.I.E., Mitchell).
15. Stechkin automatic pistol.
16. Steyer tactical pistol.
17. UZI pistol.
18. Weaver Arms Nighthawk pistol.
19. Wilkinson “Linda” pistol.

(3) “Assault weapon” means any of the following:

1. An assault long gun.
2. An assault pistol.
3. A copycat weapon.