Delaware Firearm Laws for Minors & Young Adults
A practical guide to Delaware firearm age laws, including possession by minors, adults ages 18–20, hunting and target-practice exceptions, firearm transfers, BB guns, parental responsibility and the Delaware Supreme Court’s 2026 Birney decision.
Law Updated
Transfers: § 1445
Parental responsibility: § 603
Court update: Birney decided Sept. 8, 2026
Delaware Supreme Court upheld the under-21 firearm restriction
Delaware Code § 1448(a)(5) still contains language generally identifying a person under age 21 as a person prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling deadly weapons or firearm ammunition, subject to several exceptions.
In Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security v. Birney, the Delaware Superior Court had ruled that applying those restrictions to adults ages 18 through 20 violated Article I, Section 20 of the Delaware Constitution.
The State appealed, and on September 8, 2026, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court. As a result, the under-21 restriction in 11 Del. C. § 1448(a)(5) remains enforceable, subject to the exceptions written into the statute.
The age-21 rule has important statutory exceptions
Delaware generally prohibits a person under 21 from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling a deadly weapon or firearm ammunition, but § 1448(a)(5) contains specific exceptions for certain firearms, specified persons and certain hunting, training, sporting and recreational activities.
Age matters — but so does the activity
Delaware distinguishes between ordinary possession, supervised sporting use, hunting, particular firearm types and commercial or private transfers.
Younger Minor
Firearm and projectile-weapon possession is tightly limited. Lawful hunting, instruction, sporting and recreational exceptions may apply when the statutory supervision requirements are met.
New 2026 Exceptions
With parental or guardian permission and completed hunter education, a 16- or 17-year-old may target practice without direct 21+ supervision. Hunting without that supervision also requires a valid Delaware hunting license.
Young Adult
The under-21 restriction in § 1448(a)(5) is enforceable following the Delaware Supreme Court’s September 8, 2026 Birney decision, subject to the statute’s specific exceptions.
Standard Adult Rules
Age alone generally no longer creates a § 1448(a)(5) restriction, although all other state and federal eligibility rules still apply.
What does the Delaware Code say about people under 21?
The text of § 1448 currently lists a person under age 21 among the categories generally prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling a deadly weapon or firearm ammunition within Delaware.
The statute then provides several important exceptions, including exceptions for certain firearms, military and law-enforcement personnel, Delaware CCDW holders, supervised sporting activities and lawful hunting.
The Delaware Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court on September 8, 2026. The under-21 restriction in § 1448(a)(5) therefore remains enforceable, subject to the exceptions listed in the statute.
Can a minor possess a firearm in Delaware?
Delaware does not treat ordinary unsupervised firearm possession by a minor the same way it treats lawful supervised hunting, firearm instruction, sporting or recreational activity.
Supervision matters
Section 1448 generally provides an exception for a person under 21 possessing or controlling a firearm or projectile weapon for lawful hunting, instruction, sporting or recreational activity while under the direct supervision of a person age 21 or older. Delaware law now also contains specific exceptions allowing qualifying 16- and 17-year-olds to target practice or hunt without that direct supervision.
Hunting, instruction, sporting and recreational activities
Delaware specifically recognizes lawful firearm possession or control by a person under 21 for certain activities when the statutory requirements are satisfied. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 427, effective August 17, 2026, added important exceptions for qualifying 16- and 17-year-olds.
Special rule for ages 16–17
Direct supervision by a person age 21 or older is not required while a 16- or 17-year-old is target practicing if a parent or guardian permits the possession and the young person has completed an approved Delaware basic hunter education course.
For hunting without direct 21+ supervision, the same parental-permission and hunter-education requirements apply, and the 16- or 17-year-old must also have and carry a valid Delaware hunting license.
Transportation is also addressed
Section 1448 also contains an exception allowing transportation of a firearm or projectile weapon to the location of a lawful hunting, instruction, sporting or recreational activity when the person is authorized to possess or control it for that activity.
Youth hunting in Delaware
Hunting has its own age, licensing, hunter-education and supervision rules in addition to Delaware’s general criminal firearm statutes.
May hunt without direct 21+ supervision
A 16- or 17-year-old may hunt without direct supervision by a person age 21 or older if a parent or guardian permits the possession, the young person has completed an approved basic hunter education course, and the young person has been issued and carries a valid Delaware hunting license.
Under-21 law still applies
After the Delaware Supreme Court’s September 8, 2026 Birney decision, persons ages 18–20 remain subject to § 1448(a)(5), including its hunting and sporting exceptions. The legality of possession can depend on the firearm type, activity and the specific statutory exception being used.
Hunter education is separate from firearm ownership
Delaware hunter education and hunting-license rules still apply even when possession of the firearm itself is lawful.
Can a minor shoot at a firearm range?
Delaware law allows firearm possession for lawful instruction, sporting and recreational purposes when the statutory requirements are met. Direct supervision is generally part of the under-21 exception, but qualifying 16- and 17-year-olds may target practice without direct 21+ supervision if they have parental or guardian permission and have completed an approved basic hunter education course. An individual range may impose stricter rules.
Check the range’s rules first
For example, DNREC’s Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center requires anyone age 17 or younger to be accompanied by an adult.
Shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles
The under-21 provision printed in § 1448 contains specific firearm exceptions.
Shotgun
Section 1448(a)(5) expressly excludes a shotgun meeting the statutory definition, and shotgun ammunition, from that particular age prohibition.
Muzzle-loading rifle
A muzzle-loading rifle as defined by Delaware hunting law is also specifically excluded from that portion of the under-21 restriction.
Giving or selling a firearm to someone under 21
Section 1445 makes it unlawful to sell, give or otherwise transfer a firearm or firearm ammunition to a person under age 21 unless the transfer is permitted by § 1448.
Do not assume a gift avoids age restrictions
The statute covers selling, giving and other forms of transfer. A parent-to-child or other family transaction therefore still needs to comply with the person’s lawful ability to receive and possess the firearm.
Special rules for children under 16
Delaware separately regulates certain BB guns and projectile weapons involving children under age 16.
Transfer to a child under 16
Section 1445 restricts selling, giving or transferring a BB gun, BB shot or projectile weapon to a child under 16 unless the transfer is by the parent or guardian or is made with parental or guardian permission.
Possession by the parent’s child
A parent may not permit a child under 16 to possess a covered BB gun or projectile weapon unless the child is under the direct supervision of a person age 21 or older.
Adults can face consequences for unlawful juvenile firearm access
Delaware’s reckless-endangering statute addresses a parent, guardian or other person legally responsible for a child under 18 who knowingly, intentionally or with criminal negligence contributes to, or fails to prevent, the juvenile’s unlawful firearm possession or purchase.
Delaware recognizes specified locking defenses
Section 603 provides an absolute defense when the adult had a trigger lock on the firearm and did not tell or show the juvenile where the key was kept.
It also provides an absolute defense when the firearm was stored in a key- or combination-locked container and the juvenile was not told or shown the key location or combination.
Youth firearm exceptions do not override school restrictions
A lawful hunting, sporting or training exception does not create a general right to bring a firearm onto school property. Delaware has separate Safe School Zone restrictions governing firearms at K–12 schools.
Introducing young people to firearms responsibly
Coastal Firearms & Coastal Training Group
DelawareGunLaws.com is supported by Coastal Firearms and Coastal Training Group, which emphasize safe handling, responsible firearm ownership and appropriate firearm education.
Parents and guardians introducing a young person to shooting should use appropriate supervision, secure firearms when not in use, follow range policies and confirm that the activity complies with current Delaware law.
Frequently asked questions
Is the minimum age to own a firearm in Delaware 21?
Yes, Delaware generally restricts persons under 21 under § 1448(a)(5), subject to specific statutory exceptions. On September 8, 2026, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court decision in Birney and upheld the challenged age restriction.
Can a teenager shoot a firearm with a parent?
Yes, when the applicable statutory requirements are satisfied. Delaware generally recognizes supervised possession for lawful hunting, instruction, sporting and recreational activity. In addition, qualifying 16- and 17-year-olds may target practice without direct 21+ supervision if they have parental or guardian permission and have completed an approved hunter education course. Range rules may be stricter.
Can someone under 18 hunt with a firearm?
Yes, under appropriate circumstances. A 16- or 17-year-old may hunt without direct supervision by a person age 21 or older if a parent or guardian permits the possession, the young person has completed an approved basic hunter education course, and the young person has and carries a valid Delaware hunting license. Other youth hunters must satisfy the applicable supervision and hunting requirements.
Can an 18-year-old hunt without a 21-year-old supervisor?
Not automatically. After the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court in Birney on September 8, 2026, an 18-year-old remains subject to § 1448(a)(5) unless a statutory exception applies. Hunting may qualify under an applicable exception, but the firearm type and hunting circumstances matter.
Can I give my child a firearm?
A family relationship does not eliminate the recipient’s age and possession restrictions. Section 1445 prohibits selling, giving or otherwise transferring a firearm or ammunition to a person under 21 unless permitted by § 1448.
Can a child under 16 have a BB gun?
Delaware has special rules for BB guns and projectile weapons involving children under 16. Parental permission and, in certain circumstances, direct adult supervision are required.
Can a parent be charged if a child illegally gets a firearm?
Potentially. Delaware law addresses parents, guardians and others legally responsible for a child under 18 who contribute to or fail to prevent unlawful juvenile firearm possession or purchase under the circumstances stated in § 603.
Official sources
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. Delaware’s firearm age laws contain multiple exceptions that depend on age, firearm type, hunting or target-shooting activity, supervision, licensing, transfer method and federal law. This page reflects the Delaware Supreme Court’s September 8, 2026 Birney decision and the August 17, 2026 changes enacted by HS 1 for HB 427. Verify the current Delaware Code, court decisions and applicable agency guidance before relying on this information.
Persons Prohibited From Possessing Firearms in Delaware
Learn the other circumstances that can prohibit a person from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling firearms in Delaware.