Delaware Concealed Carry Laws Explained

Concealed Carry Laws in Delaware

Overview: Permit-Required State

Delaware is a permit-required state for concealed carry. There is no constitutional or permitless carry provision in Delaware — a person must obtain a Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons (CCDW) license to legally carry a concealed deadly weapon. The Delaware Superior Court grants a license only after the Attorney General's Office investigates and recommends the application, per the process outlined in Title 11, Delaware Code, §§ 1441–1461.

Residency Requirement

• Only Delaware residents may apply for a Delaware CCDW license, per the Delaware Attorney General's Office and the State of Delaware courts.
• A Delaware resident is defined as someone who "carries or is required to have a Delaware driver's license and/or is registered to vote in Delaware."
• Non-residents cannot obtain a Delaware CCDW license. Delaware does not issue non-resident concealed carry permits.

Application Process

• Applications are submitted through the Superior Court of the State of Delaware using the official CCDW Application form.
• The Attorney General's Office Special Investigations Unit investigates each application and makes a recommendation to the court. The Superior Court then decides whether to grant the license.
• A separate application form exists for retired Delaware police officers seeking a new CCDW license.
• Applicants must provide character references using the official Reference Questionnaire form.
• Contact for questions about residency or the application process: DOJ Special Investigations Unit at (302) 577-8500.

Firearms Training Requirement

• Applicants must complete a CCDW course taught by an instructor approved by the Attorney General's Office.
• The Attorney General's Office maintains a published list of approved CCDW course instructors, which the courts use to verify instructor credentials. The most recent list was updated February 27, 2026.

Application Fees, Age Requirements, and Permit Duration

Not addressed in available sources. The provided materials do not specify the exact application fee amount, minimum age requirement, or the duration/expiration period of a CCDW license. These details are contained in the full text of §§ 1441–1461 of Title 11, Delaware Code, which were referenced but not fully reproduced in the available sources.

Prohibited Persons

• Possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited from doing so is a felony in Delaware, regardless of whether the person holds a CCDW permit or license. This applies to persons carrying weapons both with and without a concealed carry license.
• The specific categories of prohibited persons (e.g., felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, mental health adjudications) are governed by Title 11, Delaware Code, §§ 1441–1461. The sources confirm the prohibition exists but do not enumerate every disqualifying category in the excerpted text.

Prohibited Weapons

Delaware law prohibits the possession of the following under all circumstances, even with a CCDW license:

• Silencers (firearm suppressors)
• Sawed-off shotguns
• Machine guns

These prohibitions apply to all persons, including CCDW license holders.

Reciprocity

The Delaware Attorney General's Office references Concealed Carry Weapons Reciprocity on its CCDW page, indicating that reciprocity agreements may exist with certain other states. However, the specific states with which Delaware has reciprocity agreements are not detailed in the available source material. Permit holders should verify current reciprocity status before traveling to other states.

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) — Delaware Implementation

Delaware has enacted state-level implementation of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA) through two specific statutes:

Active Qualified Law Enforcement Officers — § 1441A, Title 11, Delaware Code

• A qualified law-enforcement officer carrying required photographic agency identification may carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, per 18 U.S.C. § 926B.
• "Qualified law-enforcement officer" means a government agency employee who:
  • Is authorized by law to engage in law enforcement activities and has statutory powers of arrest
  • Is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm
  • Is not subject to disciplinary action that could result in suspension or loss of police powers
  • Meets agency standards for regular firearms qualification
  • Is not under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances
  • Is not prohibited by federal law from receiving a firearm
• Required identification: photographic ID issued by the employing governmental agency identifying the individual as a police officer or law-enforcement officer.
• Includes officers of the Amtrak Police Department, Federal Reserve law enforcement, and executive branch federal law enforcement.

Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers — § 1441B, Title 11, Delaware Code

• A qualified retired law-enforcement officer carrying required identification may carry a concealed firearm, per 18 U.S.C. § 926C.
• "Qualified retired law-enforcement officer" means an individual who:
  • Separated from service in good standing as a law-enforcement officer
  • Had statutory powers of arrest before separation
  • Served as a law-enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more, OR separated due to a service-connected disability
  • Within the most recent 12-month period, met firearms training qualification standards at the individual's own expense
  • Has not been found unqualified for mental health reasons by a qualified medical professional, and has not entered into an agreement acknowledging mental health disqualification
  • Is not under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances
  • Is not prohibited by federal law from receiving a firearm
• Required identification: photographic ID from the former agency identifying the person as a former law-enforcement officer, with evidence of firearms qualification within the past year.

LEOSA Limitations in Delaware

Both § 1441A and § 1441B do not supersede Delaware laws that:

• Permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict concealed firearms on their property
• Prohibit or restrict firearms on state or local government property, installations, buildings, bases, or parks

LEOSA Firearm Definition

Under §§ 1441A and 1441B, "firearm" has the same meaning as in 18 U.S.C. § 921, and includes ammunition not prohibited by federal law, but excludes:

• Machine guns (as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5845)
• Firearm silencers (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921)
• Destructive devices (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921)

Governing Statutes

The primary statutes governing deadly weapons, concealed carry, and related offenses in Delaware are found in Title 11, Chapter 5, Subchapter VII of the Delaware Code (§§ 1301–1474), with the concealed carry licensing provisions specifically in §§ 1441–1461. Key sections include:

• § 1441 — Licensing of concealed deadly weapons (general provisions)
• § 1441A — LEOSA implementation for active law enforcement officers
• § 1441B — LEOSA implementation for retired law enforcement officers
• §§ 1442–1461 — Additional provisions related to deadly weapons possession, carrying, and penalties
• §§ 1448–1448D — Additional weapons-related provisions (referenced in code index)

Key Statutes