Delaware’s gun laws are quite permissive, and you can buy a rifle or handgun pretty quickly in the state. It is one of the easiest states in which you can buy a gun. You must be 18 to buy a rifle and 21 to purchase a handgun. Along with any felony convictions, if you have misdemeanor infractions, then you cannot buy a gun in the state of Delaware. Anyone with mental illness, which makes an explicit threat against someone else has to be reported to the authorities, and that person’s guns will be confiscated for at least 30 days. Delaware is a “May Issue” state, and only issues permits to residents. Each county’s Prothonotary Office issues permits to residents. Although most residents do apply for and obtain permits, they are not necessary, and you can open carry legal throughout the state except for schools, buses, courthouses, police stations, prisons, state wildlife preserves and parks and “SLOTS.”
Delaware’s policy is May Issue in practice and its license is issued to residents. You can carry a handgun in: road side rest areas, vehicle, all areas of the state not listed as forbidden.
Delaware offers reciprocity with other states and the states that honor a Delaware permit are:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Accordingly, Delaware honors these state permits as well: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.
Idaho honors an Idaho Enhanced permit; South Dakota honors a South Dakota Enhanced permit, and North Dakota honors a North Dakota Class 1 permit.
Delaware is a “May Issue” state and to qualify for a gun permit you need to be a resident of the state and be at least 18 years old. Initial permits are good for only three years then you can renew them for five years. Delaware is an open carry state, but almost no one observes that right without getting a permit. With a permit, you can carry one in your vehicle and to rest areas and most other areas of the state except for federally protected areas and school, government and police buildings and some other restricted areas. You cannot carry in state parks, but you also don’t have to notify an officer that you are carrying. You can bring your firearm into places that serve alcohol, and you don’t have to worry about “no weapons” signs, they are not legally enforceable. If you carry in your vehicle you have to have a permit otherwise, if it is concealed, you will earn a felony charge. If you do not have a license, make sure it is in plain sight. Never store your gun in the glove box.
You must be at least eighteen when you apply for a concealed carry permit. You also have to have completed a firearms safety and training class before applying. You must also collect five character references proving you are sober, of good moral character, peaceful and follow all state and federal regulations. You will not be able to get a permit if you have any felonies or charges of violent behavior against you. You also cannot be the subject of a protective order or have any substance abuse charges on your record. If you have a mental illness, you cannot get a permit in Delaware. The cost of applying for a license is $65.
Because Delaware is not a “point of sale” state and does not require their own background check to purchase a firearm, licensed dealers must conduct one through the FBI’s NCIS system before selling to anyone. By federal law, it is illegal for a dealer to sell to anyone without an approved background check. If for some reason the FBI has not gotten back to the dealer and denied the application within 25 days, the dealer may sell to the buyer without approval.
| Permit type | Fees when getting a new permit | Renewal | Current license amendment | Fingerprint scan fee | Fee for firearm classes | Additional state fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License to carry a concealed deadly weapon (handgun) | $65.00 | $65.00 (Renewals valid for 5 years) | $65.00 (fingerprint and criminal history record check fee) |
| Allowed | Forbidden |
|---|---|
| Road side rest areas | Police stations |
| Vehicle | School Bus |
| All areas of the state not listed as Forbidden | State approved “SLOTS” |
| Courthouses | |
| Prisons and other detention facilities | |
| Wildlife Management Areas | |
| Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law |
| Monday – Friday: | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm |
| Saturday: | Closed |
| Sunday: | Closed |
| Monday – Friday: | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm |
| Saturday: | Closed |
| Sunday: | Closed |
| Address: | Delaware Department of Justice Carvel State Building 820 N. French St. |
| City: | Wilmington, DE 19801 |
| Phone: | (302) 577-8500 |
| Address: | Delaware Department of Justice 102 W. Water Street |
| City: | Dover, DE 19904 |
| Phone: | (302) 739-4211 |
Office Address
Special Investigations Unit, 5th floor 820 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone
(302) 255-0556
Office Address
CCDW Permit Unit 38 The Green Street Dover, DE 19901 GPS Address Kent County Courthouse 414 Federal Street Dover, DE 19901
Phone
(302) 735-1901
Office Address
CCDW Permit Unit 1 The Circle, Suite 2, Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone
(302) 854-6959