Delaware Concealed Carry Laws

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Constitutional Carry No
Open Carry Permitted however local ordinances may exist.
Permit honored in 31 states
Delaware honors 18 states

Delaware Gun Laws

Open Carry

Permitted however local ordinances may exist.
Partial

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

Only when asked by the officer
Permitted

State Parks

Delaware residents holding an active current permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon may carry a firearm
Partial

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

No specific restriction
Permitted

Firearms at Colleges

Schools individually decide the weapons policy.
Informational

Firearms at K-12 Schools

With valid permit, loaded handgun is lawful in the vehicle only
Restricted

Church Carry

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis
Informational

Hotels

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Informational

Secure Storage Requirements

There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Specific to a vehicle, it is a crime to leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle unless it is in a locked container, trunk, or locked rack.
Restricted

Magazine Capacity Limitations

As of August 29, 2022, Delaware law limits the capacity of firearm magazines to 17 rounds. This law also bans the manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, and possession of large capacity magazines (LCMs). This ban does NOT apply to LEOs, members of the armed forces, or individuals who hold a valid concealed carry permit issued by Delaware.
Restricted

Suppressor Ownership

Prohibited
Restricted

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

No concealed firearms. It must be carried openly in the vehicle such as on the seat or dash.
Restricted

Firearm Law Uniformity

Some uniformity exists but laws pre-1985 are grandfathered and local jurisdictions can restrict open carry
Restricted

Permit Training Requirements

Must complete a course which shall include:
 Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of firearms;

b. Instruction regarding safe storage of firearms and child safety;

c. Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of ammunition;

d. Instruction regarding safe storage of ammunition and child safety;

e. Instruction regarding safe firearms shooting fundamentals;

f. Live fire shooting exercises conducted on a range, including the expenditure of a minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition;

g. Identification of ways to develop and maintain firearm shooting skills;

h. Instruction regarding federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use and possession of firearms;

i. Instruction regarding the laws of this State pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense; and

j. Instruction regarding techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution.
Informational

Non-Resident Permits

Non-residents may not apply
Restricted

Constitutional Carry

No
Restricted

Duty to Retreat

Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (464-465)
Restricted

Places Off Limits

Federal Buildings
 State approved "SLOTS"
 Courthouses, police stations, prisons and other detention facilities’ (Title 11 § 1256 & § 1258).
 Wildlife Management Areas (Del. Regulation 7.8.3.4.1).
 “Safe Recreation Zone” - any building or structure owned, operated, leased or rented by any county or municipality, or by the State, or by any board, agency, commission, department, corporation or other entity thereof, or by any private organization, which is utilized as a recreation center, athletic field or sports stadium.
 Safe School Zone: a. Any building, structure, athletic field, sports stadium or real property owned, operated, leased or rented by any public or private school including any kindergarten elementary, secondary, or vocational-technical school. b. Any motor vehicle owned, operated, leased, or rented by any public or private school including any kindergarten, elementary, secondary, or vocational-technical school
 Polling places on an election day
Informational

State Contact Info

Attorney General of Delaware
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-577-8600
attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/
Informational

Permit Issuing Authority

The Prothonotary Office in the county in which you reside.
Informational

Length of Permit Validity

5 Years
Informational

Permit Application Process

1. Arrange with a newspaper of general circulation in your County to have your application published once, at least (10) days before the filing of your application with the Court. Obtain an affidavit from the newspaper company stating that this requirement has been met, and attach it to your application. PLEASE NOTE: Newspaper of selection must have a circulation of at least 35% of the population in your zip code. Be sure to use your whole name – no initials – and your home address.
2. Arrange to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting by Appointment Only Appointments are ONLY Tuesday & Thursday noon to 6:30 p.m. You will be given the address of the Delaware State Police Troop to report to at the time you are given an appointment. For an appointment call: (302) 739-2528 or 1-800-464-4357 Payment by certified check, money order, business check, or credit card for exact amount only. No cash or personal checks accepted and picture ID required. Fingerprints must be taken within 30 days of filing application.
3. Have the reference questionnaires completed by five (5) citizens from the County in which you reside.
4. Complete the attached questionnaire and have it notarized. (The Prothonotary Office will notarize a document for a $1.00 fee)
5. Include two (2) 2 x 2 color passport-style photographs of the applicant, taken within the six-month period immediately preceding the filing of the application.
6. Include the statutory filing fee of $34.50. Cash, money order or personal check, made payable to the “PROTHONOTARY” will be accepted. (Credit cards are accepted in Kent County ONLY)
7. New applications may be filed at any time. You must file the original set and a complete copy of all the documents. (DUPLICATE COPY) You may hand deliver your application to the Prothonotary’s Office or, if all the requirements are met, mail to the Prothonotary Office in the County in which you are applying:

New Castle County Prothonotary Office
CCDW Permit
500 N. King Street, Suite 1500
Wilmington, DE 19801-3704

Kent County Prothonotary Office
38 The Green
Dover, DE 19901

Sussex County Prothonotary Office
Sussex County Courthouse
1 The Circle, Suite 2
Georgetown, DE 19947

You may be contacted by a representative of the Attorney General’s Office for a personal interview.

If you have any questions, please contact:
New Castle County 302-255-0556
Kent County 302-739-3184 ext. 164
Sussex County 302-856-5742

Following review of your application by the Attorney General’s Office and the Court, you will receive written notification as to whether your application has been denied or approved. If your application is approved, you must now complete an Approved Gun Course. For exact details of what the course must include see 11 Del. C. § 1441. Upon completion of the course please submit your Certificate – certified by the Instructor and notarized to the Court. Your new CCDW permit will be issued following receipt verification of the gun course.
Informational

Delaware Permit Reciprocity

Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →

Your Delaware resident permit is honored in 31 states

AK AL AR AZ CO FL GA IA ID IN KS KY ME MI MN MO MS NC ND NM OH OK SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WI WV

Delaware honors resident permits from 18 states

AK AR AZ CO FL KS KY ME MI MO NC NM OH OK TN TX UT WV
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

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