Where You Cannot Carry a Firearm in Delaware
A practical guide to Delaware firearm restrictions at schools, colleges, polling places, courthouses, government buildings, parks, private property and other sensitive locations.
Important
Polling places: § 1457B
Colleges: § 1457C
Carry license: § 1441
Places requiring special attention
Delaware does not use one universal list. Different locations have different statutes, exceptions and storage rules.
K–12 School Property
Firearm possession is generally prohibited in a Safe School Zone, subject to specific statutory exceptions.
College & University Property
Delaware generally prohibits firearm possession throughout a college or university safe zone.
Polling Places
Firearms are prohibited inside actual polling places during the statutory election-day period, subject to limited exceptions.
Courthouses
Delaware court facilities operate under courthouse security rules prohibiting weapons for ordinary visitors.
Government Buildings
Counties and municipalities may regulate firearm possession in qualifying government buildings and police stations.
Parks & Public Lands
Carry is not universally prohibited, but state park, wildlife-area and state-forest regulations can impose location-specific restrictions.
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A Delaware CCDW does not mean you can carry everywhere
A Delaware Concealed Deadly Weapon license generally authorizes concealed carry, but location-specific laws and regulations still apply. Some locations prohibit possession entirely, while others contain narrow exceptions for licensed individuals or firearms secured inside vehicles.
K–12 schools and Safe School Zones
Delaware law generally prohibits knowingly possessing a firearm or projectile weapon in a Safe School Zone.
The statutory definition includes buildings, structures, athletic fields, sports stadiums and other real property owned, operated, leased or rented by a public or private kindergarten, elementary, secondary or vocational-technical school. It also includes vehicles owned, operated, leased or rented by the school.
Violation: Class E felony
Section 1457A classifies unlawful firearm or projectile-weapon possession in a Safe School Zone as a Class E felony.
What about a Delaware CCDW holder?
Delaware provides a limited exception for a person holding a valid license under § 1441, but the statutory exception applies only when the firearm or projectile weapon is in a motor vehicle.
Vehicle storage exception
Section 1457A also provides an exception for a firearm stored in a locked container or locked firearms rack in or on a motor vehicle.
Colleges and universities
Delaware law generally prohibits knowingly possessing a firearm in a college or university safe zone.
The zone includes buildings, structures, athletic fields, sports stadiums and real property owned, operated, leased or rented by a public or private college or university, as well as college- or university-owned or controlled motor vehicles.
Public roads through campus are treated differently
The statutory definition excludes state or locally maintained roads and certain related pedestrian or bicycle routes running through or adjacent to campus property when those routes are open full time to public vehicular traffic.
CCDW holder vehicle exception
A person holding a valid Delaware concealed deadly weapon license is exempt under § 1457C only if the firearm is in a vehicle.
The statute separately allows possession when the firearm is secured in a locked container or locked firearms rack in or on a motor vehicle.
Written authorization is another statutory exception
Section 1457C also contains an exception for a person who has written authorization to possess a firearm from the college or university administration or its designated representative.
Polling places
Delaware prohibits knowingly possessing a firearm or projectile weapon at a polling place on election day, subject to limited statutory exceptions.
Actual polling place
The restriction applies to the actual designated polling location during the statutory election-day period.
Parking areas
The statute specifically says a polling place does not include outside areas such as parking areas or adjoining structures that are not part of the actual polling place.
Signs are required
Delaware law directs the Department of Elections to post signs at polling-place entrances notifying the public that firearms and projectile weapons are not permitted.
Delaware courthouses
Delaware court facilities maintain courthouse security restrictions concerning weapons. Ordinary visitors should not attempt to enter a Delaware courthouse while carrying a firearm or other weapon.
Expect security screening
Delaware court guidance lists guns, ammunition, knives and numerous other weapons among items that may not be brought into court facilities.
County and municipal buildings
Delaware generally limits local firearm regulation, but state law specifically allows counties and municipalities to adopt ordinances regulating firearms in qualifying government buildings and police stations.
When such an ordinance is adopted, restricted areas must be clearly identified by conspicuous signs at the entrances.
Important CCDW protection
A county or municipal ordinance under these provisions may not prevent a person holding a valid Delaware license under § 1441 or qualifying license under § 1441A from carrying a firearm and ammunition, provided the firearm remains concealed except for inadvertent display or lawful self-defense or defense of others.
Read posted signs
Local government buildings can therefore require more analysis than simply asking whether the building is government-owned.
Delaware state parks, forests and wildlife areas
Delaware does not impose a blanket prohibition on lawful firearm possession throughout every state park, state forest or wildlife area.
Instead, Delaware administrative regulations govern firearms on these lands and can distinguish between general areas, designated sensitive areas, hunting activities and persons lawfully carrying under applicable licensing rules.
Check the specific property
Before carrying on state recreational land, check the current DNREC or Department of Agriculture regulations and posted signs for that property. Rules for parks, wildlife areas and state forests are not identical.
Private businesses and private property
A private property owner or business can control access to the property and may prohibit firearms as a condition of entry.
Posted signs and owner instructions matter
Even when a location is not independently prohibited by Delaware firearm law, a person who refuses to leave private property after being directed to do so can create a separate trespass issue.
Restaurants, bars and alcohol
Delaware does not create a general statewide prohibition simply because a lawful carrier enters a restaurant or bar. However, carrying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs creates a separate criminal issue.
11 Del. C. § 1460
Delaware makes it an offense to possess a firearm or projectile weapon in a public place while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The statutory definition of public place expressly includes restaurants, bars, taverns, parks, playgrounds, highways, transportation facilities and other areas accessible to the public.
Federal buildings and other federal property
A Delaware CCDW license does not override federal firearm restrictions.
Federal facilities, federal court buildings, secured airport areas and certain other federally controlled locations can be governed by separate federal statutes and regulations.
State permit ≠ federal exemption
Always determine whether the property is subject to federal restrictions before entering while armed.
Not every public place is automatically prohibited
Delaware does not have a single statute broadly prohibiting lawful firearm possession in every church, restaurant, hospital, store, sports venue or similar location solely because it falls into that category. Other laws, property rules, special-event restrictions or regulations can still apply.
Leaving the firearm in your vehicle
If you reach a location where you cannot lawfully carry the firearm inside, remember that Delaware separately regulates unattended firearms left in vehicles.
An unattended firearm must be secured
Delaware law requires an unattended firearm left in a vehicle to be stored in a locked box or container, a locked firearms rack, or the locked trunk of the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Can I carry a firearm at a Delaware school if I have a CCDW?
Section 1457A provides a limited exception for a valid § 1441 license holder only when the firearm or projectile weapon is in a motor vehicle. The statute also provides a separate exception for firearms secured in a locked container or locked firearms rack in or on a vehicle.
Can I carry on a Delaware college campus with a CCDW?
Section 1457C generally prohibits firearm possession in a college or university safe zone. A valid Delaware CCDW holder has a statutory exception only when the firearm is in a vehicle. Written authorization from the institution is another separate exception.
Can I carry while voting?
Delaware generally prohibits firearm or projectile-weapon possession inside an actual polling place during the statutory election-day period. The polling-place definition excludes parking areas and adjoining structures that are not part of the actual polling place.
Can I carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol?
Delaware does not impose a statewide prohibition solely because a restaurant or bar serves alcohol. However, § 1460 prohibits possession of a firearm or projectile weapon in a public place while under the influence, subject to the statute’s provisions and defenses.
Can I carry in a Delaware state park?
Delaware does not impose a blanket firearm ban throughout every state park. State administrative regulations govern firearm possession and may restrict possession in designated areas. Check the current DNREC rules and posted signs for the specific property.
Can a business tell me I cannot carry inside?
Private property owners may control access to their property. Even where firearm possession is not independently prohibited by a firearm statute, refusing to leave after being directed to do so may create a trespass issue.
Does my Delaware CCDW override a “No Firearms” rule?
Not generally. A CCDW does not override school, college, polling-place, federal-property or private-property restrictions. County and municipal building ordinances are different because Delaware law requires those particular ordinances to preserve specified exceptions for valid concealed-carry licensees.
Responsible carry starts with understanding the rules
Coastal Firearms & Coastal Training Group
DelawareGunLaws.com is supported by Coastal Firearms. Coastal Firearms and Coastal Training Group emphasize lawful firearm ownership, safe handling, responsible concealed carry and understanding Delaware firearm requirements.
Delaware residents seeking firearm training or information about lawful firearm purchases and transfers can learn more through Coastal Firearms and Coastal Training Group.
Official sources
11 Del. C. § 1457A — Possession in a Safe School Zone
11 Del. C. § 1457B — Firearms at polling places
11 Del. C. § 1457C — College and university safe zones
11 Del. C. § 1460 — Firearm possession while under the influence
9 Del. C. § 330 — County firearm-regulation limitations and government buildings
22 Del. C. § 111 — Municipal firearm-regulation limitations
Legal information, not legal advice.
DelawareGunLaws.com is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with the State of Delaware or any government agency. Carry restrictions may arise from statutes, regulations, court security rules, property policies, local ordinances and federal law. Rules can change, and exceptions may depend on the person’s license or status, the exact location, vehicle storage and other circumstances. Verify current primary sources before relying on this information.
Firearms in Vehicles in Delaware
Learn Delaware’s vehicle carry and unattended-firearm storage requirements, including locked containers, trunks and firearm racks.