Delaware

Lethal Violence Protective Order

Shape of the state of Delaware in orange

In June 2018, Governor John Carney signed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 222, creating Delaware’s Lethal Violence Protective Order (LVPO), which became effective on December 27, 2018. A few months earlier, in April 2018, Delaware enacted the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2018. Though seemingly similar, Delaware’s LVPO includes an expanded list of petitioners and a focus on persons exhibiting dangerous behavior, generally, as opposed to persons exhibiting dangerous behavior due to a “mental condition” that requires a mental health service provider to notify law enforcement of such concern or behavior.

A Lethal Violence Protective Order (LVPO) is a civil order that temporarily prohibits individuals who pose a danger of causing physical injury to self or others from purchasing, possessing, or having access to firearms and ammunition. There are two types of LVPOs: an emergency LVPO, which may be issued on an ex parte basis and generally lasts up to 15 days, and a nonemergency LVPO, which is issued after notice and a hearing and lasts up to one year. In Delaware, only law enforcement may petition for an emergency LVPO1, while law enforcement and family members (including current or former spouses, persons cohabitating with or without a child in common2, persons living separate and apart with a child in common, custodian and child, persons related by blood or marriage, persons with a child in common, and persons in a current or former substantive dating relationship) are authorized to petition for a nonemergency LVPO.3 In addition to temporarily prohibiting the purchase and possession of a firearm or ammunition, in Delaware, the court may prohibit the respondent from residing with someone who owns, possesses, or controls firearms or ammunition.4

Delaware’s LVPO law includes ex parte LVPOs issued by a judicial officer; a hearing where the respondent is provided notice and an opportunity to participate; the respondent’s right to counsel (at no expense to the government); and the requirement of substantial and credible evidence to issue an LVPO.

1 10 Del. C. § 7703

2 10 Del. C. § 1041

3 10 Del. C. § 7701

4 10 Del. C. § 7703

Delaware's Gun Violence Restraining Order

Effective: December 27, 2018

Order Type Max Duration Burden of Proof Factors to Consider Who can petition for ERPO

EX Parte Order

(Emergency order, if applicable)

15

days

Preponderance of the evidence

  • threats or acts of violence towards self or others
  • law enforcement;
  • family members;
  • people with a child in common;
  • dating partners;
  • people cohabitating

Final Order

(emergency order, if applicable)

1

year (up to)

Clear and convincing

Factors to Consider
  • threats or acts of violence towards self or others
Who can petition for ERPO
  • law enforcement;
  • family members;
  • people with a child in common;
  • dating partners;
  • people cohabitating

For more information, visit the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence’s LVPO website: