DelawareDelaware measure excludes certain closed knives from deadly weapon list
Delaware would exclude closed knives with blades up to 3.75 inches from its deadly weapon list, except switchblades or knives used or attempted to cause death or serious injury.
What it does
A closed, non-switchblade knife with a blade up to 3.75 inches would not count as a deadly weapon based on its type. Using or trying to use it to cause death or serious injury could still make it a deadly weapon.
People would not face a separate misdemeanor under this bill merely for selling, offering to sell, or possessing a spring- or gravity-opening knife. Switchblades would still count as deadly weapons.
Argument forWorkers carrying closed, non-switchblade knives with blades up to 3.75 inches might avoid charges based on the knife alone.
Argument againstPeople might carry more spring- or gravity-opening knives without a separate possession charge, which could worry those concerned about knives still listed as deadly weapons.
More detail
The bill would define an ordinary pocketknife as a knife with a blade up to 3.75 inches. The exception applies when an ordinary pocketknife is carried closed. Switchblades are listed separately as deadly weapons. A knife used or attempted to be used to cause death or serious injury can also count as a deadly weapon.
The bill would leave out the separate misdemeanor for selling, offering to sell, or possessing a spring- or gravity-opening knife. This covers people in Delaware who sell, offer to sell, or possess those knives. Switchblades still count as deadly weapons. Using a knife in an attack aimed at causing death or serious injury could still lead to deadly weapon charges.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Jul 30Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jun 26Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 VACANTPassed House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 11Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 7 On Its MeritsMinor
- May 15Assigned to Judiciary Committee in HouseMinor
- May 14Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YESPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- May 7Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 5 On Its MeritsMinor
- Apr 15Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in SenateIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety