What Firearms Are Legal in Delaware?
Most ordinary firearms are not prohibited merely because they are firearms. Delaware instead regulates particular firearm types and configurations, magazines, purchasers, transfers and locations. Use this guide to determine what needs closer review.
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Magazine: Is its capacity lawful?
Person: Is the owner eligible?
Transaction: Is the acquisition lawful?
Delaware does not publish a simple list of “approved guns”
Whether a firearm is lawful can depend on its action, model, configuration, magazine capacity and other characteristics. The person possessing it and the manner in which it was acquired can matter just as much as the firearm itself.
Generally permitted, check carefully, or restricted?
These categories are a starting point—not a substitute for checking the exact firearm and configuration.
Is this firearm legal in Delaware?
Instead of asking only what the firearm is called, work through these five questions.
Is the firearm specifically prohibited by name?
Delaware’s assault-weapon statute lists numerous firearm models and also covers certain copies or imitations.
Does its configuration meet Delaware’s “copycat weapon” test?
Semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns can be restricted based on characteristics such as magazine system, operating type and listed features.
Is the magazine lawful?
Delaware generally treats a magazine capable of accepting more than 17 rounds as a large-capacity magazine, subject to statutory exceptions.
Is the person legally eligible to possess it?
A firearm that is lawful for one person can be illegal for another person to possess because of prohibited-person status, age, a protective order or another legal restriction.
Is the purchase, transfer and location lawful?
Even a lawful firearm must be acquired through a lawful transaction and may still be restricted in certain locations or circumstances.
Are handguns legal in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware does not generally prohibit ordinary handguns or revolvers simply because they are handguns.
Certain semiautomatic pistols can nevertheless meet Delaware’s assault-weapon or copycat-weapon definitions depending on their design and features.
Buying a handgun has additional requirements
Delaware residents purchasing or receiving a handgun generally must have a valid Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit unless an exemption applies.
Are rifles legal in Delaware?
Many rifles are lawful in Delaware. Ordinary bolt-action and lever-action rifles generally do not meet the principal semiautomatic-centerfire feature test used in Delaware’s copycat-weapon definition.
Semiautomatic rifles require closer analysis because Delaware separately identifies named assault long guns and defines additional firearms as copycat weapons based on their configuration.
Are AR-15-style rifles legal in Delaware?
This question cannot safely be answered by looking only at the caliber or magazine capacity.
Delaware’s statute specifically names the Colt AR-15, CAR-15 and imitations, with a statutory exception for the Colt AR-15 Sporter H-BAR, and separately regulates firearms meeting its copycat-weapon definitions.
A 10-round magazine does not automatically make an AR-platform rifle Delaware compliant
The exact model, operating system, magazine configuration and other characteristics must be reviewed under Delaware’s assault-weapon statute.
Are shotguns legal in Delaware?
Most conventional shotguns are not prohibited simply because they are shotguns.
Certain semiautomatic shotguns can fall within Delaware’s copycat-weapon definition based on their combination of features. Short-barreled or otherwise specially regulated shotguns can also raise separate Delaware and federal issues.
A legal firearm can still have an illegal magazine
Delaware separately regulates large-capacity magazines. A magazine capable of accepting, or readily convertible to accept, more than 17 rounds generally falls within Delaware’s statutory definition, subject to exceptions.
17 rounds or fewer
Not considered a large-capacity magazine solely because of capacity.
More than 17 rounds
Generally falls within Delaware’s large-capacity-magazine restrictions unless an exception applies.
What about suppressors, short-barreled firearms and machine guns?
Do not assume that federal NFA registration by itself makes an item lawful in Delaware.
Delaware has its own destructive-weapon provisions that address items including firearm silencers, sawed-off shotguns and machine guns. Federal and state requirements therefore must be reviewed together.
NFA item? Check the dedicated guide
The legality of NFA-regulated firearms can depend on the exact item and applicable Delaware exception. Do not rely solely on an approved federal tax stamp or registration.
A legal firearm can still be illegal for a particular person to possess
Delaware and federal law prohibit certain individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms. The firearm itself may be perfectly lawful while possession by a particular person is prohibited.
Minors and adults ages 18–20
Age-related firearm possession is a separate issue from whether the firearm itself is legal.
Delaware law provides specific exceptions for supervised hunting, instruction, sporting and recreational activities. The state’s restrictions affecting adults ages 18–20 are also the subject of ongoing litigation.
Legal firearm ≠ automatically legal transaction
Even when the firearm itself is lawful, Delaware and federal law regulate how firearms may be purchased, received, gifted, inherited or transferred.
A legal firearm cannot necessarily be taken everywhere
Firearm legality and location legality are separate questions. Delaware imposes restrictions involving schools, colleges, polling places and other sensitive locations, while federal and private-property restrictions may also apply.
Bringing firearms into Delaware from another state
A firearm or magazine that is legal in another state is not automatically legal to bring into Delaware.
Check before crossing the state line
This is particularly important for AR-platform firearms, other semiautomatic rifles and magazines over 17 rounds.
Unsure whether a firearm is appropriate for a Delaware sale?
Coastal Firearms
DelawareGunLaws.com is supported by Coastal Firearms, a Delaware federally licensed firearms dealer focused on lawful transfers and compliance.
Coastal Firearms offers conventional firearms as well as Delaware-appropriate firearm configurations, including compliant AR-platform options when available.
Because legality can depend on the exact manufacturer, model and configuration, firearm eligibility should be reviewed using the actual firearm specifications rather than relying only on a product name or appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Are handguns legal in Delaware?
Yes. Ordinary handguns and revolvers are generally lawful for eligible individuals, although certain semiautomatic pistols can meet Delaware’s assault-weapon definitions. Handgun purchases and transfers are also subject to Delaware’s purchaser-permit requirements unless an exemption applies.
Are bolt-action rifles legal in Delaware?
Ordinary bolt-action rifles generally do not meet the semiautomatic-centerfire feature test used in Delaware’s copycat-weapon definition. Other laws concerning the owner, transaction, barrel length or specific firearm can still apply.
Are lever-action rifles legal in Delaware?
Conventional lever-action rifles are generally not prohibited solely because they are lever-action rifles. The exact firearm and configuration should still comply with all applicable Delaware and federal laws.
Are shotguns legal in Delaware?
Most conventional shotguns are lawful. Certain semiautomatic shotguns can fall within Delaware’s assault-weapon definitions, while short-barreled or otherwise specially regulated shotguns require separate review.
Are AR-15 rifles legal in Delaware?
Delaware specifically regulates the Colt AR-15, CAR-15, imitations and firearms meeting its copycat-weapon definitions. Some AR-platform configurations may be offered for lawful Delaware sale, but legality requires review of the exact firearm rather than merely installing a lower-capacity magazine.
Does a 10-round magazine make an AR-15 legal?
No. Magazine capacity is only one issue. Delaware’s named-firearm and copycat-weapon provisions must also be considered.
Are 17-round magazines legal in Delaware?
A magazine is not considered a Delaware large-capacity magazine solely because it holds 17 rounds. Delaware’s statutory definition generally applies when the device can accept more than 17 rounds, subject to the full statutory definitions and exceptions.
Is any firearm legal as long as I pass a background check?
No. Buyer eligibility and firearm legality are separate questions. A person may be legally eligible to own firearms while a particular firearm or magazine is still prohibited under Delaware law.
Can I bring a firearm that is legal in another state into Delaware?
Not automatically. Delaware law applies while you are in Delaware. Visitors should check the exact firearm, magazine and method of transport before entering the state.
Need a more specific answer?
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. This page provides a general screening guide rather than a determination that any particular firearm is lawful. Firearm legality can depend on the exact manufacturer, model, configuration, magazine, owner, method of acquisition and location. Verify current primary sources and obtain qualified legal advice when necessary.
Delaware Assault Weapon Laws
Check AR-15-style rifles, named firearms, copycat weapons, fixed-magazine configurations and grandfathered firearms under Delaware law.