Folding Knives/Removes Prohibitions/Owning or Possessing
- Introduced Jun 11, 2024
- In committee Jun 11, 2024
- Died
- Passed the House
- To the governor
- Became law
What it does
The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.
This Act removes prohibitions in Title 11 of the Delaware code regarding owning or possessing certain types of folding knives that may be opened with one hand. So-called "switch blade knives", which are more appropriately called automatic knives, allow for easy deployment often by depressing a button. Such cutting implements are lawfully used as tools by many working in the trades, and are also popular amongst…
Read the full title (150 words)
This Act removes prohibitions in Title 11 of the Delaware code regarding owning or possessing certain types of folding knives that may be opened with one hand. So-called "switch blade knives", which are more appropriately called automatic knives, allow for easy deployment often by depressing a button. Such cutting implements are lawfully used as tools by many working in the trades, and are also popular amongst outdoor, hunting, and camping enthusiasts. Currently, despite common and myriad lawful purposes, such knives are treated as deadly weapons in Delaware and therefore subject otherwise law-abiding Delawareans engaging in law-abiding activities to criminal prosecution in the justice system. Removing the prohibitions would permit individuals to lawfully use such tools but would still subject them to prosecution for deadly weapons related offenses where an individual uses such an automatic knife in the course of an attack or assault aimed at causing death or serious injury.
Every action
1 step, oldest first, as the legislature records them.
- CommitteeIntroduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate · Senate Judiciary
Roll calls
No recorded votes on this bill yet.
Sponsors
The member who introduced it, joined by 5 cosponsors: 5 Republicans.
- DL David L. WilsonR Primary sponsor · District 18
- DB Daniel B. ShortR Joint sponsor · District 39
All 5 cosponsors
From Delaware's official records (legis.delaware.gov), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.