Buyback events for Delaware residents have been announced for next week for two firearms devices that were outlawed in the past legislative session
Governor Carney signed into law House Bill 300, which makes the possession of a bump stock or trigger crank illegal in the State.
The law mandates that Delaware residents relinquish the devices to law enforcement, and establishes a limited buyback program during which Delaware residents are eligible to receive $100 for a bump stock and $15 for a trigger crank.
The bill received strong support from legislators although some Second Amendments absolutists opposed the measure. The two devices can make rifles into rapid-fire weapons.
Other critics claimed the bill would have little impact, given Delaware’s low rate of gun ownership when compared to other states.
“We made real progress in improving Delaware’s gun safety laws to protect communities across our state, and it’s critical to follow the regulations created as a result of enacted legislation,” said Carney. “As part of our effort to create a safer state, I encourage owners of weapon add-on devices to attend a buy-back event on Saturday, November 3 or Wednesday, November 7. Safety and urgency are key. After these two events, the devices will be illegal in the state.”
The buyback program is for Delaware residents only. The program is only intended for individuals and does not apply to wholesale, retail, manufacturers, and distributor business entities. Anonymous relinquishments will be permitted. However, no compensation will be provided. Compensation is not permitted for homemade bump stocks or trigger cranks.
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) will host the following two buy back events:
Saturday, November 3
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Sussex County: Delaware State Police, Troop 4 –23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown,
- Kent County: Delaware State Police, Troop 3 – 3759 South State Street, Camden
- New Castle County: Delaware State Police, Troop 2 – 100 Lagrange Avenue, Newark
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Sussex County: Delaware State Police, Troop 4 –23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown
- Kent County: Delaware State Police, Troop 3 – 3759 South State Street, Camden
- New Castle County: Delaware State Police, Troop 2 – 100 Lagrange Avenue, Newark
“We recognize that when these items were purchased by their owners they were not illegal. However, the law improves the safety of our state by removing these dangerous weapon add-on devices from our communities and we are grateful to the citizens of Delaware that are taking the opportunity to turn in their trigger cranks and bump stocks,” said public safety Secretary Robert Coupe.
The following restrictions apply
- Bump stocks and trigger cranks must be detached from the weapon
- Do not bring any weapons to the buyback events
- Delaware residents must bring a valid photo Delaware identification card to receive compensation
Residents who plan to participate in the program are asked to contact the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at 302-744-2690 or via email to terry.pepper@state.de.us.
A bump stock is defined as an after-market device that increases the rate of fire achievable with a semi-automatic rifle by using energy from the recoil of the weapon to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation of the trigger. A trigger crank is defined as an aftermarket device designed and intended to be added to a semi-automatic rifle as a crank operated trigger actuator capable of triggering multiple shots with a single rotation of the crank.
