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 range exceptions, firearm transfers, BB guns, parental responsibility and the ongoing Birney court case.
Litigation Pending
Transfers: § 1445
Parental responsibility: § 603
Current case: Birney
Delaware’s age-21 firearm restriction is under appellate review
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 Birney v. Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Delaware Superior Court ruled that applying those restrictions to adults ages 18 through 20 violated Article I, Section 20 of the Delaware Constitution.
The State appealed. The Delaware Supreme Court heard oral argument on June 10, 2026. Because the appeal remains important to the legal status of 18-to-20-year-old firearm owners, this page distinguishes between the language still printed in the Delaware Code and the current court ruling.
Do not rely on an old “21 is always the minimum age” summary
Delaware’s law in this area is actively being litigated. Firearm dealers, young adults and families should verify the current court status before relying on the statutory age language alone.
Age matters — but so does the activity
Delaware distinguishes between ordinary possession, supervised sporting use, hunting, particular firearm types and commercial or private transfers.
Minor
Firearm possession is tightly limited, but Delaware recognizes lawful supervised hunting, instruction, sporting and recreational activities.
Young Adult
The statutory age-21 restrictions remain printed in § 1448, but their application to adults ages 18–20 was struck down by Superior Court and is currently on appeal.
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 Superior Court held the age restriction unconstitutional as applied to adults ages 18–20. The State’s appeal is pending before the Delaware Supreme Court, so readers should check the latest court status before making an age-based firearm decision.
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 expressly provides an exception for a person under 21 possessing or controlling a firearm for lawful hunting, instruction, sporting or recreational activity while under the direct supervision of a person age 21 or older.
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.
Transportation is also addressed
Section 1448 also contains an exception allowing transportation of a firearm or projectile weapon to a lawful hunting, instruction, sporting or recreational activity when the person is authorized to possess 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.
Supervision may be required
Current DNREC guidance contains firearm- and age-specific requirements for hunters under 18, including circumstances requiring direct supervision by a person age 21 or older.
Birney changed DNREC guidance
Following the 2025 Superior Court ruling, DNREC revised its hunting guidance to state that hunters age 18 and older do not require adult supervision solely because they are under 21.
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 supervised firearm possession for lawful instruction, sporting and recreational purposes, but an individual range may impose additional age and supervision requirements.
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?
The Delaware Code still contains an under-21 restriction in § 1448(a)(5), but the Delaware Superior Court ruled that the restriction violated the Delaware Constitution as applied to adults ages 18–20. That decision is currently on appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court.
Can a teenager shoot a firearm with a parent?
Delaware recognizes supervised firearm possession for lawful hunting, instruction, sporting and recreational activity when the statutory requirements are satisfied. Range and hunting rules can impose additional requirements.
Can someone under 18 hunt with a firearm?
Yes, under appropriate circumstances, but youth hunters must comply with Delaware hunting, hunter-education, licensing, firearm-type and supervision rules.
Can an 18-year-old hunt without a 21-year-old supervisor?
Current DNREC guidance following the Birney Superior Court ruling states that individuals age 18 and older do not require direct supervision solely because they are under age 21.
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
11 Del. C. § 1448 — Persons prohibited and age-related exceptions
11 Del. C. § 1445 — Unlawfully dealing with a dangerous weapon
11 Del. C. § 603 — Parental responsibility for unlawful juvenile firearm possession or purchase
Delaware Supreme Court — Birney appeal, Case No. 412, 2025
Delaware DNREC — Current hunting and youth-supervision guidance
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 are currently affected by active appellate litigation. Age requirements can also differ depending on firearm type, hunting activity, supervision, transfer method and federal law. 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.