State Laws · DE
Delaware Gun Laws
Effective as of Current through 2025 legislative session (Delaware Concealed Deadly Weapons License system). Laws change — you should check for updates or consult with a licensed firearms trainer in your state before acting on this information.
Concealed Carry
Delaware requires a Concealed Deadly Weapons License (CDWL) for concealed carry, issued by the Court of Common Pleas in the county of residence. Delaware is a shall-issue state with some discretion. Applicants must be at least 18, complete a firearms training course, submit five character references from the county of residence, publish notice of the application in a local newspaper, and pass a background check. The license is valid for three years.
Key statute: Delaware Code Title 11, § 1441 — license to carry concealed deadly weapons.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Delaware without a permit for anyone who can legally possess a firearm. However, local ordinances in Wilmington restrict open carry in certain circumstances.
Who Cannot Carry
Prohibited persons include: convicted felons, persons convicted of a crime of violence or felony drug offense, persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, juveniles adjudicated delinquent for a felony, persons committed involuntarily for mental health treatment, and persons subject to a lethal violence or family court protective order.
Prohibited Locations
Delaware prohibits firearms in: state parks and forests (with hunting exceptions), schools and school property, courthouses, the state capitol, police stations, and any location with posted prohibition. Delaware enacted a law prohibiting firearms within 1,000 feet of a public demonstration.
Purchase Requirements
All firearms sales (including private) require a background check — Delaware is a point-of-contact state conducting its own checks through the State Bureau of Identification. There is no waiting period (beyond the background check processing time). Delaware has an assault weapons ban (enacted 2022), a magazine capacity limit of 17 rounds, and a prohibition on unserialized firearms. There is no state firearms registry.
Citations
Delaware Code Title 11, Chapter 5, Subchapter VII (deadly weapons); Title 11, § 1441-1459 (concealed deadly weapons licensing).
Look up statutes at Delaware General Assembly →Legal disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a qualified attorney before making legal decisions.
Sources & official resources
Federal firearms laws
ATF.gov — Laws: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives →Delaware statutes
Delaware General Assembly →This link goes to Delaware's legislative website. To find specific firearms statutes, search for terms like "concealed carry," "firearms," or "weapons permit" in the site's search function.