Delaware Gun Law Updates
Track recently enacted Delaware firearm laws, bills awaiting action, implementation dates and other changes that may affect firearm owners, purchasers, dealers and transfers.
What changed most recently?
HB 141
Signed July 23, 2026. Creates the Firearm Responsibilities Notice requirement for covered firearm transactions. Effective 180 days after enactment.
SS 1 for SB 300
Passed June 30, 2026. The General Assembly currently lists it as ready for Governor action. It would create a new state firearm-dealer licensing structure if enacted.
HB 418
Passed July 1, 2026. The General Assembly currently lists it as ready for Governor action. It would revise Delaware’s untraceable-firearm law.
85 Del. Laws, c. 371
HB 141 — Firearm Responsibilities Notice
HB 141 directs the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security to develop a Firearm Responsibilities Notice for firearm purchasers. Covered licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers may not sell, transfer or deliver a firearm without requiring the buyer to review and sign the notice.
The requirement also applies when a licensed dealer facilitates a background check for a sale between unlicensed persons. Dealers must retain signed copies, and Delaware deadly-weapons dealers must securely maintain the notices for at least 3 years.
The bill was signed July 23, 2026, but its substantive requirements are delayed for 180 days. DSHS must conduct dealer outreach before the effective date.
Until the delayed effective date arrives, the new notice requirement should not be described as already operational.
Awaiting Governor action
SS 1 for SB 300 — Firearm Dealer Licensing
Senate Substitute 1 for SB 300 would replace the existing licensing framework for many firearm dealers with a new state license under Chapter 9B of Title 24.
The Delaware General Assembly still lists SS 1 for SB 300 as “Passed” and “Ready for Governor for action.” This page will not describe its proposed requirements as enacted unless that status changes.
Because this bill would significantly affect Delaware FFL operations if enacted, dealers should monitor its official status rather than relying on summaries circulating before final action.
Awaiting Governor action
HB 418 — Untraceable / “Ghost Gun” Law Revisions
HB 418 is intended to revise Delaware’s existing untraceable-firearm statute in response to issues raised in litigation. The bill’s synopsis states that it would create a compliance path for people who legally possessed unserialized firearms before enactment of the earlier law.
The bill would allow certain previously lawful unserialized firearms to be brought into compliance by serialization through a federally licensed dealer or by being rendered permanently inoperable, while preserving the underlying prohibition on untraceable firearms.
The General Assembly currently lists HB 418 as passed and ready for Governor action. Its proposed changes should not be relied upon unless and until enacted.
The existing Delaware untraceable-firearm law remains the operative statutory framework unless HB 418 becomes law.
85 Del. Laws, c. 234
SB 188 — Law-Enforcement Firearm Procurement
Governor Matt Meyer signed SB 188 on January 30, 2026. The law relates specifically to law-enforcement firearm procurement and is included here because it is part of Delaware’s recent firearm-law activity, although it is not primarily a civilian firearm-purchase or carry law.
Handgun Permit to Purchase remains a major recent change
Delaware’s Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit law was enacted earlier and is now administered by the Delaware State Police. A Delaware resident purchasing a handgun generally must have a valid permit unless an exemption applies.
A valid Delaware CCDW holder is exempt from obtaining the separate purchaser permit.
How DelawareGunLaws.com labels legislation
Official tracking sources
Delaware General Assembly — HB 141 — Firearm Responsibilities Notice
Delaware General Assembly — SS 1 for SB 300 — Proposed firearm-dealer licensing law
Delaware General Assembly — HB 418 — Proposed untraceable-firearm revisions
Governor’s Legislative Advisories — Official record of signed and vetoed bills
Delaware State Police — Current Handgun Permit to Purchase implementation
Legislation can change status quickly, and a signed bill may have a delayed or phased effective date. DelawareGunLaws.com distinguishes enacted law from pending legislation and links directly to official Delaware sources for verification.
Last legislative review: August 8, 2026
Delaware Firearm Law Library
Browse Delaware statutes, agency guidance and the plain-English guides that explain how the rules fit together.