Delaware State Law Summary

Last updated January 18, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. Delaware ranked 18 out of 50 – having enacted a modest amount of gun violence prevention laws.  Among other things, Delaware:

• Requires retail firearms dealers to obtain a state license;

• Requires firearms dealers to conduct background checks and maintain records of the dealer's employees (employees prohibited from purchasing or possessing guns are barred from selling firearms);

• Prohibits domestic violence misdemeanants and persons subject to a domestic violence order of protection from purchasing or possessing firearms; and

• Requires licensed dealers to conduct a background check on a private sale if the seller so requests it for a prospective purchaser.

Delaware does not, however:

• Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles or large capacity ammunition magazines;

• License firearm owners;

• Require the registration of firearms;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases; or

• Regulate unsafe handguns.

Local governments in Delaware generally lack authority to regulate firearms and ammunition.

Delaware ranks 32th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2007, 79 people died from firearm-related injuries in Delaware. In 2009, Delaware supplied the 23rd highest number of crime guns to other states per capita, and the state imports more crime guns than it exports.

For details about specific firearms laws in Delaware, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking
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