DelawareGunLaws.com
Understand Delaware Firearm Law.
Clear, practical information about buying, owning, carrying, transporting and transferring firearms in Delaware — backed by statutes and official government sources.
Facts. Sources. Plain English.
Understand what the law says — and go directly to the underlying source.
Delaware firearm-law information reviewed through September 22, 2026.
What do you need to know?
Delaware firearm laws can differ depending on the firearm, transaction, location and person involved. Start with the subject that applies to you.
Buying a Firearm
Handguns, rifles, shotguns, background checks, identification and dealer transfers.
Permit to Purchase
Delaware’s Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit, training, fingerprinting and exemptions.
Carrying a Firearm
Concealed carry, open carry, vehicles, restricted locations and reciprocity.
What’s Legal?
Firearms, magazines, NFA items, restricted configurations and other regulated items.
Looking for a specific Delaware firearm-law topic?
Browse the complete DelawareGunLaws.com directory, organized by buying, transfers, carry, restricted firearms, ownership, protective orders, travel, hunting and more.
Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit
A Delaware resident purchasing or receiving a handgun generally must have a valid Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit unless an exemption applies.
A person with a valid Delaware Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon license issued under 11 Del. C. § 1441 is not required to obtain a separate purchaser permit.
Delaware Permit to Purchase
Common Delaware gun-law questions
Do I need a permit to buy a handgun?
Delaware residents generally need a Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit unless a statutory exemption applies.
Does my Delaware CCDW count?
A valid Delaware CCDW is an exemption from the separate handgun purchaser permit requirement.
What is Delaware’s magazine limit?
Delaware generally defines a large-capacity magazine as an ammunition-feeding device capable of accepting, or readily convertible to accept, more than 17 rounds.
Can I buy a firearm online?
Online firearm purchases are lawful when applicable federal and state transfer requirements are followed; interstate transfers commonly involve an FFL.
Can I carry concealed?
Delaware issues licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons under 11 Del. C. § 1441.
I’m moving to Delaware. What can I bring?
Review Delaware restrictions before bringing firearms, magazines, unserialized firearms or other regulated firearm components into the state.
Find the law that applies to you
Practical guides organized by transaction, firearm, location and circumstance.
Private Transfers →Sales and transfers between individuals.
Family Transfers →Gifts, transfers and inherited firearms.
Delaware CCDW →Licensing and concealed-carry requirements.
Open Carry →Delaware rules affecting openly carried firearms.
Firearms in Vehicles →Transportation and vehicle possession.
Restricted Firearms →Delaware regulated firearm classifications.
Magazine Laws →Capacity restrictions and exemptions.
NFA Firearms →Suppressors, SBRs and federally regulated firearms.
Persons Prohibited →Who may be prohibited from possessing firearms.
Moving to Delaware →Firearm considerations for new residents.
Interstate Travel →Crossing state lines with firearms.
Important Delaware firearm-law changes
Recent legislation and court decisions have changed several Delaware firearm-law topics. These summaries distinguish enacted law, future requirements and court decisions.
HB 418 — Unserialized Firearms / Ghost Guns
HB 418 took effect September 3, 2026. It preserves Delaware’s restrictions on untraceable firearms while creating a compliance path for certain previously possessed unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers, including qualifying new residents.
Birney — Under-21 Firearm Restrictions
The Delaware Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court in Department of Safety and Homeland Security v. Birney. Delaware’s under-21 statutory restrictions remain enforceable, subject to the exceptions written into Delaware law.
HB 342 — Out-of-State Protection Orders
HB 342 expanded Delaware’s prohibited-person law to include certain qualifying domestic-violence protection orders issued by another state or territory.
SS 1 for SB 300 — State Firearm Dealer Licensing
Signed September 3, 2026. The Act creates a new Delaware state firearm-dealer licensing framework under Title 24, with implementation phased in beginning by July 1, 2028.
HB 141 — Firearm Responsibilities Notice
HB 141 was signed in July 2026. As amended, the new notice requirement becomes effective when the Department of Safety and Homeland Security publishes notice in the Register of Regulations that the final Firearm Responsibilities Notice is ready.
See all major 2026 changes
Review the major 2026 statutes and court decisions in one place, including youth rules, ghost guns, protection orders, dealer licensing and other changes.
Verify it yourself
Whenever practical, we link directly to the statute, court or government agency responsible for the information.
Delaware State PolicePermit to Purchase information, applications and guidance.
Delaware Superior CourtOfficial information regarding Delaware CCDW licenses.
Delaware DOJState legal and concealed-carry information.
General AssemblyTrack introduced, passed and enacted legislation.
ATFFederal firearm laws, regulations, forms and guidance.
Facts. Sources. Plain English.
Firearm laws are complicated enough without confusing political rhetoric with legal requirements. DelawareGunLaws.com is designed to help readers understand the rule, locate the underlying authority and determine where additional research may be necessary.
Supported by Coastal Firearms
DelawareGunLaws.com is supported by Coastal Firearms, a Delaware firearms business focused on lawful transfers, responsible ownership, education and compliance.
DelawareGunLaws.com is not a State of Delaware website and is not affiliated with any government agency. Information on this site is provided for general educational and informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Firearm laws can change through legislation, regulations, court decisions and agency interpretation. Individual circumstances can materially affect how a law applies. Review current primary sources and consult a qualified attorney when a legal determination is important to you.
Delaware firearm law without the noise.
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