Firearm Transfers in Delaware
A central guide to dealer transfers, private sales, family gifts, interstate transfers, inherited firearms and moving firearms you already own.
What kind of transfer is this?
Buying from an FFL
Dealer transfer, background check, identification and handgun Permit-to-Purchase requirements.
Transfer between two unlicensed people
Delaware generally requires an FFL-facilitated FTAP background check unless a statutory exception or exclusion applies.
Gift or transfer to a family member
Delaware has a relationship-specific family exception, but federal interstate law still applies.
Buyer and seller live in different states
Federal law generally requires the firearm to pass through an FFL in the appropriate state before delivery to the recipient.
Delaware generally requires an FFL-facilitated background check
Under § 1448B, an unlicensed person generally may not sell or transfer a firearm to another unlicensed person without a background check conducted through a licensed firearms dealer using Delaware’s Firearm Transaction Approval Program (FTAP), unless an exception or exclusion applies. The transfer may proceed after SBI informs the dealer that the transaction may proceed, or after 25 days have elapsed from the background-check request without a denial.
Under current 24 Del. C. § 904A, a dealer facilitating a transfer under § 1448B may charge a reasonable fee not exceeding $30 per background check.
There are statutory exceptions, so the exact relationship and circumstances matter.
Handgun transfers generally add the Permit-to-Purchase requirement
Section 1448B separately provides that an unlicensed person generally may not transfer a handgun to another unlicensed person unless the recipient has a valid Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit. DSP likewise states that Delaware residents planning to purchase or transfer a handgun generally must first obtain the permit.
A person holding a valid Delaware CCDW issued by Superior Court under §1441 is exempt from obtaining the separate Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit.
When a Delaware-to-Delaware family transaction genuinely falls within § 1448B(c)(1), the private-transfer provisions of § 1448B do not apply to that transaction, including the section’s dealer-background-check and private-transfer handgun purchaser-permit requirements.
For training, fingerprints, application and exemptions:
The Delaware family exception is relationship-specific
Section 1448B(c)(1) contains an exception for specifically listed family relationships. It is not a blanket exception for every person someone considers family.
If the family members are residents of different states, federal law still controls the interstate transfer. A Delaware family relationship does not eliminate the federal FFL requirement merely because the parties are related.
For the exact relationships, handgun issues and inheritance distinction:
Federal law controls transfers between residents of different states
For ordinary private interstate transfers between unlicensed people, federal law generally requires the firearm to be transferred through an FFL in the recipient’s state of residence. Dealer sales to nonresidents are treated differently: complete rifles and shotguns may sometimes be transferred over the counter when federal law and the laws of both states are satisfied, while handguns generally must be delivered through an FFL in the buyer’s state of residence.
For ordinary private transactions, use an FFL and confirm the transfer path before money or possession changes hands.
Inheritance is different from a lifetime gift
Federal and Delaware law contain separate treatment for firearms transferred by bequest, intestate succession or other operation of law. That is legally different from a living person deciding to give a firearm to a relative.
A gift during the owner’s lifetime uses the gift/transfer rules. An estate or bequest follows the inheritance rules applicable to that situation.
Assault weapons, NFA firearms and other specially regulated firearms may have additional inheritance, possession or transfer requirements even when the ordinary private-transfer rule treats inheritance differently.
A transfer exception never makes a prohibited person eligible
Family status, inheritance, a temporary loan or another transfer exception does not override Delaware or federal prohibited-person law. Effective September 14, 2026, HB 342 also extends Delaware’s prohibited-person law to certain qualifying out-of-state domestic-violence protection orders.
Moving your own firearm is not the same as transferring it to someone else
ATF states that a person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or ship that firearm interstate when changing state residence. Because ownership is not being transferred to another person, this is generally not an FFL transfer merely because the person moved across a state line.
The firearm must still be lawful to possess in Delaware once the move is complete.
HB 418, effective September 3, 2026, created a compliance path for certain people who lawfully acquired an unserialized firearm or unfinished frame/receiver in another jurisdiction and later establish Delaware residency. Serialization or permanent inoperability may be required within the statutory timeline.
New laws affect how future transfers will be administered
Firearm Responsibilities Notice
HB 141 was signed July 23, 2026. Once its conditional effective date is triggered, covered dealer sales and dealer-facilitated private transfers will include the Firearm Responsibilities Notice and acknowledgement requirements. House Amendment 1 ties the operational date to DSHS publication that the final notice is ready.
Future State Dealer Licensing
Signed September 3, 2026, the new Chapter 9B framework creates a state firearm-dealer licensing system with phased implementation beginning by July 1, 2028. Current transfer procedures remain governed by the provisions presently in force during the transition.
Coastal Firearms
Coastal Firearms provides Delaware FFL transfer services and can assist with the transfer process, required identification, handgun Permit-to-Purchase questions and coordination with out-of-state FFLs.
Official sources
11 Del. C. § 1448A — Dealer background checks and FTAP procedures
11 Del. C. §1448B — Private transfers, handgun purchaser permit and exceptions
24 Del. C. §904A — Dealer-facilitated private transfers and fee cap
Delaware State Police — Handgun Permit to Purchase
ATF — Interstate FFL transfer guidance
HB 342 — Effective Sept. 14, 2026; qualifying out-of-state protection orders
HB 418 — Effective Sept. 3, 2026; unserialized-firearm compliance provisions
House Amendment 1 to HB 141 — Firearm Responsibilities Notice effective-date trigger
SS 1 for SB 300 — Future state firearm-dealer licensing framework
ATF Firearms Q&A — Moving personally owned firearms when changing residence
Transfer requirements can depend on residency, firearm type, relationship, age, legal eligibility, handgun purchaser-permit status, current FTAP procedures and whether the transaction is a sale, gift, inheritance or movement of property already owned. Verify the exact current rule before transferring possession or ownership.
Last legal review: September 22, 2026
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