What’s Legal in Delaware?
A starting point for determining whether a firearm, magazine or regulated item may be lawfully possessed in Delaware—and whether the person possessing it is legally eligible.
What are you trying to determine?
Is this rifle, pistol or shotgun restricted?
Check Delaware’s named-firearm list, copycat-weapon features and grandfather provisions.
Is this magazine legal?
Delaware generally regulates magazines capable of accepting more than 17 rounds, subject to exemptions.
Can I possess an NFA firearm in Delaware?
Suppressors, machine guns, short-barreled shotguns and SBRs require both federal and Delaware analysis.
Am I legally allowed to possess a firearm?
Felonies are only one category. Delaware and federal prohibited-person laws include additional circumstances.
Delaware regulates certain semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns
Sections 1465 and 1466 define and regulate firearms Delaware calls “assault weapons.” The definition includes specifically named models and feature-based “copycat weapons.”
Two visually similar firearms can be treated differently depending on action type, magazine configuration, overall length and specific features.
The detailed guide covers named models, rifles, pistols, shotguns, grandfathering, inheritance and transport.
More than 17 rounds generally triggers Delaware’s large-capacity magazine law
Section 1468 defines a large-capacity magazine as an ammunition-feeding device capable of accepting, or readily convertible to hold, more than 17 rounds, subject to specific exclusions. Section 1469 generally prohibits manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, transfer and possession unless an exemption applies.
A valid Delaware CCDW holder is one of the statutory exemptions. Review the complete list before relying on an exemption.
Federal NFA registration does not override Delaware law
Delaware §1444 separately restricts certain weapons, including firearm silencers, sawed-off shotguns and machine guns, subject to narrow exceptions. A federal ATF approval does not create a general Delaware civilian exemption.
An SBR must comply with federal NFA requirements and must also be lawful under Delaware’s separate restricted-firearm rules. A semiautomatic centerfire rifle under 30 inches overall can independently meet Delaware’s copycat-weapon definition.
For suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, machine guns and other NFA categories:
The item can be legal while the possession is still unlawful
Delaware §1448 prohibits firearm and ammunition possession by several categories of people. Federal 18 U.S.C. §922(g) independently creates additional firearm disabilities.
A person must be legally eligible under both systems. Out-of-state convictions, court orders and other events can affect eligibility after moving to Delaware.
For felony, domestic-violence, mental-health, juvenile, court-order and other categories:
A legal firearm can still require a permit or background check to acquire
Legality of the firearm itself is separate from the rules governing how it is purchased or transferred. Delaware residents generally need a Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit before purchasing or receiving a handgun unless an exemption applies. A valid Delaware CCDW holder is exempt from the separate purchaser permit.
Coastal Firearms
For general Delaware firearm-transfer and compliance information, Coastal Firearms can help identify the make, model and configuration that should be checked against current Delaware law.
Official sources
11 Del. C. §§1465–1466 — Assault weapon definitions and restrictions
11 Del. C. §§1468–1469 — Large-capacity magazine definition and restrictions
11 Del. C. §1444 — Delaware destructive-weapon restrictions
11 Del. C. §1448 — Persons prohibited
Delaware State Police — Handgun Permit to Purchase
Firearm legality can depend on exact model, configuration, overall length, magazine capacity, date of acquisition, NFA classification and the owner’s legal status. Verify the current statutory text before buying, importing, modifying or possessing a questionable firearm or device.
Last legal review: August 8, 2026
Firearm Transfers in Delaware
Next: a central guide to dealer transfers, private sales, family transfers and interstate transactions.