Delaware Gun Laws

Delaware Gun Laws Overview 🏆 Overall Ranking and Performance: 12 in the country for gun law strength (down from 11 last year) Gun law strength score: 61.5/100 Gun violence rate: 11.9 deaths per 100k residents (national average: 14.2) 📜 Recent Legislation: Raised minimum age to purchase firearms Enacted [law to hold irresponsible gun](https://thegunlaws.com/states-with-strictest-gun-laws/) industry members accountable 🛡️ Foundational Laws: Background checks required for handgun purchases Concealed carry permit required Extreme Risk [Law](https://thegunlaws.com/red-flag-gun-laws/) in place No "Shoot First" law Secure storage of firearms required 🏭 Gun Industry and Product Safety: Ghost guns regulated No special immunity for gun industry Assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and microstamping not addressed 🏙️ Guns in Public: Crime gun tracing required No guns mandate on college campuses Guns prohibited at state capitols and/or demonstrations No guns in K-12 schools Open carry regulated Strong concealed carry authority 🚫 Keeping Guns Out of the Wrong Hands: Various prohibitors in place (e.g., felons, domestic abusers, mental health) Minimum age requirements for gun purchases Relinquishment requirements for prohibited individuals School threat assessment teams required 👮 Policing and Civil Rights: Funding for gun violence victim services No Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights Office of Violence Intervention established Police use of force standards and data collection in place Violence intervention program funding 🏪 Sales and Permitting: Authority to deny [gun purchases](https://thegunlaws.com/gun-purchase-laws/) for public safety "Charleston Loophole" closed or limited Dealer license required Lost and stolen gun reporting mandatory Mental health record reporting to background check system Notification of failed background checks [Sales records sent to law](https://thegunlaws.com/private-gun-sales-law/) enforcement Detailed Delaware operates on a “May Issue” policy for concealed carry permits, meaning permits are only issued to full-time residents. To obtain a permit, applicants must submit their county of residence, provide five references from county residents, and publish their application in the local newspaper ten days before filing. The application is then reviewed by the Attorney General’s office and a Court. 983K STATE POPULATION NO CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY 26K LICENSES ISSUED 31 RECIPROCATING STATES 21 STATES HONORED 18 MINIMUM AGE TO CC 2 YEARS LICENSE VALID YES STAND YOUR GROUND 2.6% LICENSE PERCENTAGE Delaware Gun Laws Quick Facts Constitutional Carry? No - Delaware does not recognize constitutional carry for its residents. Open Carry Permitted? Yes - Delaware allows individuals at least 21 years old to openly carry a firearm (including a handgun) without a license or permit, as long as they are residents of [Delaware](https://delaware.gov/) and legally allowed to possess a firearm. Carry In Vehicle? Yes - Individuals with a CDWL (concealed deadly weapon license) or a reciprocal permit from another state recognized by Delaware can transport a firearm (either concealed or openly) in a vehicle. If an individual does not have the correct permit, the firearm must be transported within plain sight and cannot be concealed. Carry In State Park? Yes - Individuals with a CDWL or a reciprocal permit from a state recognized by Delaware can carry concealed within a state park. Carry In Restaurants? Yes - There are no specific codes indicating the illegality of concealed carrying a handgun in a restaurant or bar, assuming the carrier has a CDWL and is not under the influence. No Weapon Sign Enforced? No - There are no requirements stating that "No Weapons" signs hold the force of [law](https://thegunlaws.com/gun-silencer-laws/). Must Notify Officer? No - Delaware is not a duty-to-inform state. However, if asked by an officer, you must truthfully answer whether you are carrying a firearm and produce the appropriate permit along with a valid photo ID. Delaware Gun Laws for Non-Residents: Non-residents may [openly carry firearms in Delaware](https://thegunlaws.com/delaware-open-carry/) without a permit, except in wildlife areas during deer seasons. Concealed carry requires a license, available to non-residents who complete a firearms training course. Delaware Gun Laws Self-Defense: Delaware has stand-your-ground and castle doctrine laws allowing the use of force for self-defense without a duty to retreat. Reasonable or deadly force can be used to protect yourself or others from harm. Delaware Gun Laws Transportation: Firearms transported in vehicles must be unloaded and securely encased unless you have a valid concealed carry permit. The firearm cannot be directly accessible to the driver or passengers. Delaware Gun Laws Suppressor: Suppressors are legal in Delaware for lawful purposes. Obtaining one requires filing ATF forms and $200 tax stamps, along with a background check. No state permit is required for ownership. Delaware CCW Reciprocity List States Honoring CCW Alabama Alaska\ Arizona\ Arkansas Colorado\ Florida\ Georgia Idaho Indiana Iowa\ Kansas\ Kentucky\ Maine\ Michigan\ Minnesota\ Mississippi Missouri\ Montana New Mexico\ North Carolina North Dakota\ Ohio\ Oklahoma\ South Dakota Tennessee\ Texas\ Utah\ Vermont Virginia\ West Virginia\ Wisconsin\ (\Restricted Reciprocity with Delaware) States NOT Honoring CCW California Connecticut Georgia Hawaii Illinois Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New York Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Washington Washington D.C Wyoming Honors These States CCW Permits Alaska Arizona Arkansas Colorado Florida Idaho Kansas Kentucky Maine Michigan Missouri New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah West Virginia How Reciprocity Works In Delaware Reciprocity agreements in Delaware dictate where concealed carry weapons (CCW) are allowed or prohibited: Places Allowed Roadside rest areas Vehicle Places Not Allowed Police stations School Bus State-approved “SLOTS” Courthouses Prisons and other detention facilities Wildlife Management Areas Any place where the carrying of [firearms is prohibited by Federal Law](https://thegunlaws.com/federal-private-firearm-transfer-laws/).  Delaware: Conceal Carry Laws Open Carry - Yes, open carrying a handgun without a permit/license in Delaware is legal but not common. The minimum age is 21 years old. You must be a resident of the state and legally allowed to own and handle a firearm. Carry-In Vehicle - Yes, it is a felony to carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle without a permit/license. However, you can still legally carry the firearm in a vehicle if it is in plain sight, such as on the dash or seat; it must not be concealed in places like the glove box or center console. If you have a permit/license, then you may carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle. Carry-In State Parks - Yes, it is legal to carry in state parks, state/national forests, and roadside rest areas, according to specific administrative rules and Delaware Supreme Court rulings. However, carrying is not allowed in state wildlife management areas. Carry-In Restaurants - Yes, as of this writing, there is no specific code stating that it's illegal to conceal carry a handgun into an establishment that sells alcohol, including restaurants or bars. However, you must have a CDWL (concealed deadly weapon license) and must not be under the influence of alcohol. Constitutional Carry - No, Delaware, while being an open carry state, does not recognize constitutional carry. A permit is required to conceal and carry a firearm. No Weapon Signs Enforced - No, "No Weapons" signs are not mentioned in [Delaware gun](https://thegunlaws.com/delaware-gun-permit/) laws. There are no legal penalties for entering private property or business with these signs. Must Notify Officer - No, there is nothing in Delaware [gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/) that states you must inform a law enforcement officer that you have a firearm when approached on official business. The law does not mandate carrying a permit/license either. However, it is recommended to carry the permit along with a photo ID while in possession of a concealed handgun. Conclusion Delaware has specific laws governing concealed carry, with a "May Issue" policy for issuing permits to residents. Open carry is permitted, but constitutional carry is not recognized. Understanding reciprocity agreements is crucial when carrying a firearm across state lines, and always complying with local [laws](https://thegunlaws.com/cities-with-strictest-gun-laws/) and regulations is of utmost importance. FAQs Can non-residents obtain a concealed carry permit in Delaware? Non-residents are generally not eligible for a Delaware concealed carry permit. The permits are issued to full-time residents only. Is there a minimum age requirement to obtain a concealed carry permit in Delaware? Yes, you must be at least 18 years old to apply for a concealed carry permit in Delaware. Are there any training requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit in Delaware? Yes, applicants must complete a firearm training course approved by the state to obtain a concealed carry permit. What is the validity period of a Delaware concealed carry permit? A Delaware concealed carry permit is valid for two years from the date of issue. Can I [carry a concealed weapon in state parks in Delaware](https://thegunlaws.com/delaware-concealed-carry-weapon-ccw/) without a permit? No, carrying a concealed weapon in state parks requires a concealed deadly weapon license or a reciprocal permit from a state recognized by Delaware. Can I Carry a Gun in Delaware: Delaware permits both open and concealed carry for self-defense purposes, with some location restrictions. Concealed carry requires obtaining a permit by completing gun safety training and meeting other requirements. No permit is needed for open carry.