Delaware Concealed Carry Training Requirements

Training Requirements for Delaware Concealed Carry License

Delaware requires completion of a firearms training course before an initial concealed carry license (CCDW) can be issued. Training is governed by 11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(3) and applies only to initial license applications — renewal applicants are explicitly exempt from additional training requirements.

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Who Must Complete Training

• All first-time applicants for a Delaware concealed deadly weapon license must complete a qualifying firearms training course before the license will be issued, per § 1441(a)(3).
• Renewal applicants are NOT required to complete additional training. Per § 1441(a)(5)(a): "No requirements in addition to those specified in this paragraph may be imposed for the renewal of a license." Renewal requires only an affidavit, payment of the $65 fee, and continued eligibility.

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Required Training Course Elements

Per 11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(3), the firearms training course must include all of the following minimum elements:

1. Knowledge and safe handling of firearms — Instruction on proper firearm handling techniques
2. Safe storage of firearms and child safety — Instruction on secure firearm storage practices, with emphasis on child safety
3. Knowledge and safe handling of ammunition — Instruction on ammunition types and safe handling
4. Safe storage of ammunition and child safety — Instruction on secure ammunition storage, with emphasis on child safety
5. Safe firearms shooting fundamentals — Instruction on basic marksmanship principles
6. Live fire shooting exercises — Conducted on a range, including the expenditure of a minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition
7. Developing and maintaining firearm shooting skills — Identification of ways to build and sustain proficiency
8. Federal and state laws — Instruction regarding federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms
9. Delaware deadly force laws — Instruction regarding the laws of Delaware pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense
10. Conflict avoidance and management — Instruction regarding techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution

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Approved Training Providers

Per 11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(3), the training course must be sponsored by one of the following types of organizations:

• A federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency
• A college
• A nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training (e.g., the National Rifle Association)
• A firearms training school with instructors certified by a nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training

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Proof of Training Completion

Per 11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(3), the applicant must file with the Prothonotary (the county court clerk) a notarized certificate that:

• Is signed by an instructor or authorized representative of the sponsoring agency, school, organization, or institution
• Certifies that the applicant has completed a firearms training course containing at least the minimum elements described above
• Certifies that the course is sponsored by one of the qualifying organizations listed above

Per 11 Del. C. § 1441(e), the Prothonotary issues the license only "following receipt of the notarized certification of satisfactory completion of the firearms training course requirement." This means the training certificate must be on file before the physical license is issued, even after the court has approved the application.

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Training Timing in the Application Process

The statute allows for the training certificate to be filed either:

• At the time of initial application filing (along with the written application, the certificate of 5 respectable citizens, and the $65 fee), or
• After court approval but before license issuance — Per § 1441(e), the Prothonotary issues the license after the court endorses "approved" on the application and after receiving the notarized training certification

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Renewal — No Additional Training Required

Per 11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(5)(a):

• The initial license is valid for 3 years
• Renewals are for 5-year periods and require only:
  • Payment of a $65 fee
  • Filing an affidavit stating that carrying a concealed deadly weapon is necessary for personal protection or protection of property, and that the person possesses all requirements for license issuance
• The statute explicitly states: "No requirements in addition to those specified in this paragraph may be imposed for the renewal of a license."
• The Superior Court retains discretion to inquire into a renewal request and deny it "for good cause shown"

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LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act) — Special Provisions

Delaware has codified state implementation of the federal LEOSA at 11 Del. C. § 1441A (active officers) and 11 Del. C. § 1441B (retired officers):

• Qualified active law enforcement officers (per § 1441A) must meet standards established by their agency requiring them to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm
• Qualified retired law enforcement officers (per § 1441B(c)(4)) must have met, within the most recent 12-month period and at their own expense, the standards for qualification in firearms training for active law enforcement officers, as determined by:
  • Their former agency, or
  • The state in which they reside, or
  • If the state has not established such standards, either a law enforcement agency within the state or the standards used by a certified firearms instructor qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers within that state

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Key Statutes