Lawful owners could serialize or disable certain unmarked firearms

A person may keep an unfinished firearm frame or receiver only after having it serialized or making it permanently unusable. This applies to people who lawfully possessed the item before enactment or lawfully acquired it elsewhere and later moved to Delaware. A federally licensed dealer or manufacturer must add the serial number under federal law. The serial number must be unique, meet federal size and depth rules, and be recorded under federal record-keeping rules. Returning a newly serialized item requires a background check. If the check is denied, the licensee must give the item to law enforcement. A temporary transfer only for serialization is not unlawful possession or transfer. The owner must complete one of the two options within 6 months after establishing Delaware residency or within 6 months after enactment, whichever is later.

A person may keep an unserialized firearm only after having it serialized or making it permanently unusable. This applies to people who lawfully possessed an unserialized firearm before enactment or lawfully acquired one elsewhere and later moved to Delaware. A federally licensed dealer or manufacturer must add the serial number under federal law. The licensee must keep serialization and transfer records under federal law. Returning a newly serialized firearm requires a background check. If the check is denied, the licensee must give the firearm to law enforcement. A temporary transfer only for serialization is not unlawful manufacture, possession, or transfer. The owner must complete one of the two options within 6 months after establishing Delaware residency or within 6 months after enactment, whichever is later.

An item counts as permanently unusable only when it cannot fire a projectile and cannot be readily restored. The definition covers firearms and unfinished firearm frames or receivers. Cosmetic damage, partial disassembly, removed parts, or temporary disabling do not qualify. The alteration must be irreversible and not restorable with ordinary tools or commonly available equipment. The frame or receiver must be permanently altered so it cannot hold firing parts, the barrel must be permanently closed or blocked, or the frame or receiver must be destroyed in line with federal destruction standards. Possession and manufacture of an untraceable firearm remain offenses, subject to the serialization exceptions described in the bill. The act states that these provisions take effect upon enactment.