Del. House committee advances firearm legislation

Redefining a deadly weapon

Speigelman’s bill would more narrowly define a firearm in state law. His legislation would define a deadly weapon as a firearm, bomb, certain knives, clubs and batons, razors, a bicycle chain, slingshot and ice pick. It also defines a projectile weapon as a bow, crossbow, airbow, airgun and any weapon designed to discharge an arrow, crossbow bolt or spear.

John Taylor, a homicide prosecutor with the Delaware Department of Justice, said the agency had some concerns with the bill due to changing definitions that could cause additional litigation and the change to the definition of a projectile weapon, which currently includes more types of weapons. His testimony led to a short, heated exchange with Democratic Rep. Sean Lynn, who suggested the prosecutor’s objectors were “political.”

“It seems to be a fairly comprehensive definition,” Lynn said. “That leads me to question whether or not the argument is brought in good faith? Because for me reading it, I don’t see the basis for re-litigation here.”

The bills are now ready to be voted on in the House.