Reciprocity, prohibited places, transport & storage rules. 8 state-level rules for Delaware, each linked to its official government source.
Delaware requires a CCDW license for concealed carry. Open carry is legal WITHOUT a permit.
Delaware is may-issue for concealed carry. CCDW required for concealed. Open carry is LEGAL without permit. Must demonstrate proficiency. Del. Code tit. 11 §1441.
Delaware bans manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, AND possession of magazines over 17 rounds (11 Del. C. 1468-1469, enacted June 30, 2022); first-offense simple possession is a $100 civil penalty (second offense class B misdemeanor, other violations class E felony), and holders of a Delaware-issued concealed carry permit are exempt.
MAGAZINE CAPACITY
DELAWARE
Delaware bans manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, AND possession of magazines over 17 rounds (11 Del. C. 1468-1469, enacted June 30, 2022); first-offense simple possession is a $100 civil penalty (second offense class B misdemeanor, other violations class E felony), and holders of a Delaware-issued concealed carry permit are exempt.
Authority: 11 Del. C. 1468 (definition, >17 rounds) and 1469 (prohibition), enacted by 83 Del. Laws c. 331 (June 30, 2022).
Delaware: no statute gives private 'no firearms' signs force of law; on premises open to the public you trespass only after defying a lawful order to leave personally communicated by the owner or an authorized person (11 Del. C. 829(e)); statutory no-carry zones (e.g. Safe School Zones, 11 Del. C. 1457) apply regardless of signs.
PROHIBITED PLACES - WHERE YOU CANNOT CARRY
Delaware
Delaware: no statute gives private 'no firearms' signs force of law; on premises open to the public you trespass only after defying a lawful order to leave personally communicated by the owner or an authorized person (11 Del. C. 829(e)); statutory no-carry zones (e.g. Safe School Zones, 11 Del. C. 1457) apply regardless of signs.
Authority: Delaware Code, Title 11, Chapter 5, Subchapter VII — Offenses involving deadly weapons (incl. § 1457, Safe School and Recreation Zone).
Delaware: before using deadly force in public, you must retreat only if you actually know you can do so with complete safety. No such duty applies in your own dwelling or your place of work (unless you were the initial aggressor there).
SELF-DEFENSE LAWS
DELAWARE LAW
Stand Your Ground: NO
Castle Doctrine: YES
Castle Doctrine. Duty to retreat in public.
WHAT THIS MEANS
CASTLE DOCTRINE
Delaware recognizes the Castle Doctrine, meaning:
• No duty to retreat in or from your dwelling, and none in or from your place of work unless you were the initial aggressor (11 Del. C. § 464(e)(2))
• No statutory presumption that an intruder intends harm — 11 Del. C. § 464 contains no such presumption
• Greater legal protection for home defense
Delaware: An Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag) law is in effect (10 Del. C. ch. 77).
RED FLAG LAW - ERPO IN EFFECT
Delaware
Delaware: An Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag) law is in effect (10 Del. C. ch. 77).
Authority: 10 Del. C. ch. 77 (secs. 7701-7709), Lethal Violence Protective Order; operative text at 7704(d).
Delaware: No statute requires you to tell an officer you are carrying, to answer questions about carrying, or to display your license on demand — Del. Code tit. 11 §§ 1441-1442 create the license scheme but impose no notification or display duty.
DUTY TO INFORM - NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT
Delaware
Delaware: No statute requires you to tell an officer you are carrying, to answer questions about carrying, or to display your license on demand — Del. Code tit. 11 §§ 1441-1442 create the license scheme but impose no notification or display duty.
Authority: Absence of any duty in Del. Code tit. 11, ch. 5, subch. VII (§§ 1441 license to (fetched 2026-08-13).
Delaware: A 'no firearms' sign has no force of law; for premises open to the public, criminal liability (trespass, 11 Del. C. §§ 821-823) attaches only after you defy a lawful order to leave that is personally communicated (§ 829(e)).
NO-CARRY SIGNS - NOT CRIMINAL TO IGNORE
Delaware
Delaware: A 'no firearms' sign has no force of law; for premises open to the public, criminal liability (trespass, 11 Del. C. §§ 821-823) attaches only after you defy a lawful order to leave that is personally communicated (§ 829(e)).
Authority: 11 Del. C. §§ 821-823 (criminal trespass) with § 829(e): premises open to the pu (fetched 2026-08-13).
Delaware: With valid permit, carry in vehicle generally permitted. Without permit, check state requirements.
VEHICLE TRANSPORT - CHECK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
Delaware
Delaware: With valid permit, carry in vehicle generally permitted. Without permit, check state requirements.
Authority: Delaware Code, Title 11, Chapter 5, Subchapter VII — § 1442, Carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
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