Delaware

There are no state laws, however, the City of Wilmington prohibits armor-piercing ammunition.

Yes, without a license. Any person who is at least 21 years old and legally entitled to possess a firearm can open carry.

Yes. Folding knives with blades of not more than 3 inches

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 1441]

Yes, pepper spray is legal in Delaware, although it is illegal to use it while engaged in commission of any crime or to assault a law-enforcement officer while in the performance of the officer's duties.

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 612]

Yes. It is unlawful to manufacture, sell, transfer, purchase, receipt, or possess magazines that hold more than 17 rounds. 

Members of the military, law enforcement officers, and any individual who holds a concealed carry permit issued by the Superior Court under § 1441 of this title are exempt. 

 [Title 11, Ch. 5, VII]

Yes, with a Delaware Concealed Deadly Weapon License or a permit from a state that Delaware honors.

Yes, with a Delaware Concealed Deadly Weapon License or a permit from a state that Delaware honors. Without a permit, a firearm must be transported in plain sight — such as on the dash or seat — but not in the glove box or any place it cannot be seen.

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 1442]

No definition of brandishing was found in Delaware law. However, a person is guilty of disorderly conduct when engaging in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior.

[Del. Code. Ann. tit 11 § 1301]

No, however the information is available for law enforcement.

Yes. Delaware has a red flag law. A family member of a person or a law enforcement officer may file a petition prohibiting and enjoining a person from controlling, owning, purchasing, possessing, having access to or receiving a firearm.

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 7701]

No. Your Delaware driver’s license is not linked to your Delaware concealed deadly weapon license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry license holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. However, Delaware LEOs have access to a comprehensive database which they can choose to query to obtain this information.

Not while under the influence of alcohol (BAC of 0.08 or greater) or drugs when in a public place. In addition, a person cannot be manifestly under the influence of alcohol or any illicit or recreational drug, as defined in Title 21 § 4177(c), or any other drug not administered or prescribed to be taken by a physician, to the degree that the person may be in danger or endanger other persons or property, or annoy persons in the vicinity.

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 1460]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Yes. Permitless carry is allowed in Delaware for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm.

No.

No.

21 years old.

A person under the age of 21 is prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition of a firearm except under limited circumstances. Those circumstances are if the person is 18 years of age or older and an active member of the Armed Forces, a qualified law-enforcement officer, or has a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon. This does not apply to shotguns and shotgun ammunition, muzzle-loading rifles, and deadly weapons other than firearms, thus allowing those persons who are 18 to 21 years of age to purchase, own, control or possess such deadly weapons. Persons under the age of 21 may possess or control a firearm for the purpose of engaging in lawful hunting, instruction, sporting, or recreational activity while under the direct supervision of a person 21 year of age or older

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11] 

A person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a dangerous weapon when, for example:

• The person sells, gives or otherwise transfers to a child under 18 years of age a firearm or ammunition for a firearm, unless the person is that child's parent or guardian, or unless the person first receives the permission of said parent or guardian.

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 1445(4)]

An applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Complete a firearms training course;
• Have 5 references from the county in which he or she resides. The references shall clearly state that the applicant is a person of full age, sobriety and good moral character, that the applicant bears a good reputation for peace and good order in the community in which the applicant resides, and that the carrying of a concealed deadly weapon by the applicant is necessary for the protection of the applicant or the applicant’s property or both;
• Verify his or her application by oath or affirmation in writing before a state-authorized officer and state in writing that the applicant’s certificate and recommendations were read by its 5 signers and that the signatures are authentic; 
• Never have been convicted in Delaware or elsewhere of a felony or a crime of violence;
• If under 25 years old, never have been, as a juvenile, adjudicated as delinquent for conduct which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony;
• Never have been convicted for the unlawful use, possession or sale of a narcotic, dangerous drug or central nervous system depressant or stimulant;
• Not be subject to a Protection From Abuse Order issued by a court;
• Never have been committed for a mental disorder to any hospital, mental institution or sanitarium; and 
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Delaware.

3 years for initial license and 5 years for renewals

Link to applicationLink to reference questionnaireLink to Instructions

Write an informal letter to the court providing information regarding any change of name or address and attach a copy of your Driver’s License with the new name or address,two passport-style photos and the fee. Send it to:  

Superior Court of Delaware - NCC500 N. King Street, Suite 500Wilmington, DE 19801

A new license, reflecting the new name/address, will be sent to you in the mail.

Moving to Delaware and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Delaware issues licenses to residents only, although the Attorney General may issue temporary licenses to non-residents. You can apply for your license to the prothonotary office once you obtain a Delaware driver’s license.

Moving from Delaware and have a Delaware resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Delaware license remains valid?If a person with a Delaware concealed deadly weapon license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes, unless posted, and provided you are not under the influence.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? No. Without a license, a firearm must be transported in plain sight — such as on the dash or seat — but not in the glove box or any place it cannot be seen. [Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 1442]
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and WMAs? Yes, except where posted.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no state statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

There is no known statute in Delaware making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. A state statute was identified, making it illegal to wear masks, hoods or other garments rendering the wearers face unrecognizable, for the purpose of and in a manner likely to imminently subject any person to the deprivation of any rights. 

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 1301(1)(g)] 

No.

Open carry of any legal knife is allowed without a license. Concealed carry of folding knives with blades no longer than 3 inches is legal with a license. Delaware prohibits knives in schools. There are a number of types of knives that are illegal in Delaware, including switchblades, gravity knives, knives with brass knuckles and knives that are undetectable by metal detectors.​

[Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 §§ 1442, 1446, 1446A, 1452 & 1457]