Delaware Gun Laws

Permitted however local ordinances may exist.

Only when asked by the officer

Delaware residents holding an active current permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon may carry a firearm

No specific restriction

Schools individually decide the weapons policy.

With valid permit, loaded handgun is lawful in the vehicle only

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67

There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Specific to a vehicle, it is a crime to leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle unless it is in a locked container, trunk, or locked rack.

As of August 29, 2022, Delaware law limits the capacity of firearm magazines to 17 rounds. This law also bans the manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, and possession of large capacity magazines (LCMs). This ban does NOT apply to LEOs, members of the armed forces, or individuals who hold a valid concealed carry permit issued by Delaware.

Prohibited.

No concealed firearms. It must be carried openly in the vehicle such as on the seat or dash.

Some uniformity exists but laws pre-1985 are grandfathered and local jurisdictions can restrict open carry

Must complete a course which shall include:
 Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of firearms;

b. Instruction regarding safe storage of firearms and child safety;

c. Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of ammunition;

d. Instruction regarding safe storage of ammunition and child safety;

e. Instruction regarding safe firearms shooting fundamentals;

f. Live fire shooting exercises conducted on a range, including the expenditure of a minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition;

g. Identification of ways to develop and maintain firearm shooting skills;

h. Instruction regarding federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use and possession of firearms;

i. Instruction regarding the laws of this State pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense; and

j. Instruction regarding techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution.

Non-residents may not apply

No

Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (464-465)

- Safe School Zones — any building, structure, athletic field, sports stadium, or real property owned, operated, leased, or rented by a public or private school, from kindergarten through vocational-technical, plus any school-owned vehicle. A permit holder may have the firearm in a vehicle, and a firearm in a locked container or locked rack in a vehicle is also exempt
- School buses — no weapons of any kind, per state education rules
- Safe Recreation Zones — any building or structure owned, operated, leased, or rented by a county, municipality, the state, or a private organization that's used as a recreation center, athletic field, or sports stadium
- College and university safe zones — buildings, structures, athletic fields, sports stadiums, and real property of any public or private college or university, plus school-owned vehicles. Public roads, streets, sidewalks, and bike paths running through campus that stay open to public traffic are excluded
- Polling places on election day, including two hours before opening and two hours after closing, and locations where votes are tabulated or absentee ballots returned. Parking areas and adjoining structures that aren't part of the polling place are excluded, and signs must be posted at each entrance
- Courthouses, police stations, prisons, and other detention facilities
- Federal buildings
- State-approved "SLOTS" gaming facilities
- Wildlife Management Areas administered by the Division of Fish and Wildlife
- County and municipal buildings and police stations where a local ordinance restricts it and the area is posted at each entrance. Concealed carry by a Delaware permit holder is specifically exempted from these ordinances as long as the firearm stays concealed
- Designated areas within state parks — park offices, visitor and nature centers, bathhouses, restaurants and snack bars, stadiums during events, museums, zoos, stables, educational facilities, dormitories, playgrounds, pools, guarded beaches, and water parks, all identified by signage. Delaware residents with a Delaware concealed carry permit are exempt and may carry in these designated areas
- Designated areas within state forests — forest offices and education centers, identified by signage. Again, Delaware permit holders are exempt
- State parks located on Army Corps of Engineers land, per federal law

Attorney General of Delaware
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-577-8600
attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/

The Prothonotary Office in the county in which you reside.

5 Years

1. Arrange with a newspaper of general circulation in your County to have your application published once, at least (10) days before the filing of your application with the Court. Obtain an affidavit from the newspaper company stating that this requirement has been met, and attach it to your application. PLEASE NOTE: Newspaper of selection must have a circulation of at least 35% of the population in your zip code. Be sure to use your whole name – no initials – and your home address.
2. Arrange to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting by Appointment Only Appointments are ONLY Tuesday & Thursday noon to 6:30 p.m. You will be given the address of the Delaware State Police Troop to report to at the time you are given an appointment. For an appointment call: (302) 739-2528 or 1-800-464-4357 Payment by certified check, money order, business check, or credit card for exact amount only. No cash or personal checks accepted and picture ID required. Fingerprints must be taken within 30 days of filing application.
3. Have the reference questionnaires completed by five (5) citizens from the County in which you reside.
4. Complete the attached questionnaire and have it notarized. (The Prothonotary Office will notarize a document for a $1.00 fee)
5. Include two (2) 2 x 2 color passport-style photographs of the applicant, taken within the six-month period immediately preceding the filing of the application.
6. Include the statutory filing fee of $34.50. Cash, money order or personal check, made payable to the “PROTHONOTARY” will be accepted. (Credit cards are accepted in Kent County ONLY)
7. New applications may be filed at any time. You must file the original set and a complete copy of all the documents. (DUPLICATE COPY) You may hand deliver your application to the Prothonotary’s Office or, if all the requirements are met, mail to the Prothonotary Office in the County in which you are applying:

New Castle County Prothonotary Office
CCDW Permit
500 N. King Street, Suite 1500
Wilmington, DE 19801-3704

Kent County Prothonotary Office
38 The Green
Dover, DE 19901

Sussex County Prothonotary Office
Sussex County Courthouse
1 The Circle, Suite 2
Georgetown, DE 19947

You may be contacted by a representative of the Attorney General’s Office for a personal interview.

If you have any questions, please contact:
New Castle County 302-255-0556
Kent County 302-739-3184 ext. 164
Sussex County 302-856-5742

Following review of your application by the Attorney General’s Office and the Court, you will receive written notification as to whether your application has been denied or approved. If your application is approved, you must now complete an Approved Gun Course. For exact details of what the course must include see 11 Del. C. § 1441. Upon completion of the course please submit your Certificate – certified by the Instructor and notarized to the Court. Your new CCDW permit will be issued following receipt verification of the gun course.