Delaware Concealed Carry Laws: CCDW Permit Guide

Delaware operates a permit-required concealed carry system under a unique may-issue framework administered through the Superior Court. Unlike many states, Delaware requires a formal court application process involving community references, Attorney General investigation, and judicial discretion. Carrying a concealed deadly weapon without a license constitutes a felony under 11 Del. C. § 1442.

This guide covers Delaware Code Title 11, §§ 1441 (licensing), 1442 (unlicensed carry prohibition), 1457 (Safe School Zones), and related statutes. It synthesizes official guidance from the Delaware Superior Court and Delaware Attorney General's Office regarding Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) permits.

Laws evolve through legislation and court decisions. This guide reflects Delaware statutes as understood in February 2026, but applicants must verify current requirements through official state sources. This article does not constitute legal advice.

Is Concealed Carry Legal in Delaware?

Concealed carry is legal only with a valid Delaware-issued Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license. Delaware is a permit-required, may-issue state—not a constitutional or permitless carry jurisdiction.

Legal framework: Carrying a concealed deadly weapon without a license is a class G felony under 11 Del. C. § 1442. If the concealed deadly weapon is a firearm, the offense elevates to a class D felony.

Who may apply:

• Residents: Delaware residents of "full age" (18 under general Delaware law, though federal restrictions and training requirements effectively require adult status) and good moral character may apply for CCDW licenses through their county of residence
• Non-residents: Delaware issues non-resident licenses, though these are rare and processed through Superior Court with Attorney General investigation using essentially the same standards as resident applications
• Age: Statute requires applicants be of "full age." While Delaware law generally defines this as 18, federal firearm possession restrictions and practical training requirements make CCDW effectively an adult permit

Key limitation: Open carry is generally lawful in Delaware for non-prohibited persons, but this does not authorize concealed carry. A CCDW license specifically covers concealed carry of deadly weapons.

Concealed Carry Permits in Delaware

Delaware's CCDW permit process differs significantly from most states due to court administration and community verification requirements.

Permit name: License to carry concealed deadly weapons, commonly called CCDW or Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon permit

Issuing authority: Delaware Superior Court in the applicant's county of residence grants licenses after Attorney General investigation and recommendation under 11 Del. C. § 1441.

Application Process

Applications are filed with the Prothonotary of the Superior Court at least 15 days before the next court term. The process involves multiple statutory requirements:

Core application elements (11 Del. C. § 1441(a)):

1. Written application stating applicant's full age, residence, occupation, and desire for personal protection or property protection
2. Certificate from five respectable citizens of the applicant's county attesting that the applicant is of full age, sobriety, good moral character, has good reputation for peace and good order, and that carrying is necessary for protection
3. Newspaper publication of application notice at least 10 days before Superior Court term
4. Background check through State Bureau of Identification (fingerprints must be taken within 45 days prior to filing)
5. Attorney General investigation and recommendation
6. Application fee: $65

The Superior Court maintains discretion to approve or deny applications. The court may receive remonstrances, hear evidence and arguments, and establish general rules for evaluation.

Training Requirements

Delaware requires completion of an approved firearms training course before license issuance. The Delaware Attorney General's Office maintains an approved instructor list and administers instructor certification.

Course content must include (11 Del. C. § 1441(a)(3)):

• Knowledge and safe handling of firearms
• Safe storage of firearms and child safety
• Knowledge and safe handling of ammunition
• Safe storage of ammunition and child safety
• Safe firearms shooting fundamentals
• Live fire shooting exercises: minimum 100 rounds of ammunition on a range
• Development and maintenance of firearm shooting skills
• Federal and state laws on lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms
• Delaware laws on use of deadly force for self-defense
• Techniques for avoiding criminal attacks and managing violent confrontations, including conflict resolution

Instructor requirements: Training must be sponsored by federal, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies, colleges, nationally recognized organizations offering firearms training, or firearms training schools with nationally certified instructors.

Validity Period

Initial licenses: Valid for 3 years from issuance date

Renewals: Valid for 5 years. Renewal affidavits may be filed between January 1 and June 1 of the expiration year. Renewals require:

• $65 renewal fee
• Affidavit stating carrying remains necessary for protection and applicant continues meeting all requirements
• Two recent passport-style photographs

Important note: The Superior Court retains discretion to deny renewal for good cause shown, even if the applicant previously held a license.

Resident vs. Non-Resident Permits

The statute structures applications around county of residence, requiring five-citizen certificates from that county. Non-resident CCDW permits are administered through Superior Court with essentially identical requirements (application to a Delaware county, character references, Attorney General investigation), though these remain rare in practice.

Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Delaware

Delaware establishes multiple categories of prohibited locations through statutory provisions and court-enforced restrictions.

Safe School and Recreation Zones

Delaware creates comprehensive "Safe School and Recreation Zones" under 11 Del. C. § 1457 and § 1457A, criminalizing firearm possession in these areas with narrow exceptions.

Safe School Zones include: Any building, structure, athletic field, sports stadium, or real property owned, operated, leased, or rented by any public or private kindergarten, elementary, secondary, or vocational-technical school, plus school-owned/operated vehicles.

CCDW holder exception: Extremely limited. CCDW licensees may only possess firearms in their vehicles within Safe School Zones—not on their person in school buildings or on grounds.

College or University Safe Zones: Separate provision under 11 Del. C. § 1457C covers similar locations for colleges and universities with comparable restrictions.

Other Statutory Prohibited Locations

Courthouses and detention facilities: Firearms are prohibited in courthouses, police stations, prisons, and detention facilities under 11 Del. C. §§ 1256 & 1258 (offenses relating to bringing contraband/weapons into these facilities).

State parks and Wildlife Management Areas: Following Delaware Supreme Court decisions in 2017, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and Department of Agriculture may not enforce blanket bans against lawful firearms possession, but may impose narrow location-specific restrictions in sensitive areas like certain buildings or facilities.

The 2017 Delaware Supreme Court rulings held that broad categorical bans violated Delaware's constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Current regulations create more nuanced, location-based rules rather than complete prohibitions.

Private Property

Property owners (businesses, private premises) may prohibit firearms on their property. A CCDW license does not override property owners' rights to exclude weapons. Trespass statutes apply if licensees refuse to comply with property owner restrictions.

Signage Laws

Delaware has no statewide "signage has force of law" statute creating automatic criminal liability for entering posted premises. However, if property is clearly posted "No Firearms" and the licensee remains after notice, trespass statutes and facility-specific rules (courts, detention facilities, state facilities) provide enforcement mechanisms.

Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Delaware

Delaware recognizes certain out-of-state permits under a reciprocity framework administered by the Attorney General.

Recognition of Other States' Permits

Delaware honors permits from states meeting specific criteria under 11 Del. C. § 1441(j). The Attorney General determines qualifying states and publishes an annual reciprocity list (by January 15) on the Delaware Attorney General CCDW reciprocity page.

Recognition criteria:

• The issuing state must honor Delaware CCDW licenses (mutual recognition)
• The state must have similar training and background-check standards
• Delaware honors both resident and non-resident permits from recognized states

Critical limitation for Delaware residents:

A Delaware resident who wants to carry concealed in Delaware must have a Delaware-issued CCDW license. Out-of-state licenses do not allow Delaware residents to carry in their home state.

Non-residents: Visitors from states on Delaware's reciprocity list may carry in Delaware using their home-state licenses.

Delaware CCDW Recognition Elsewhere

Many states honor Delaware CCDW licenses, though recognition varies. Delaware licensees traveling outside the state must independently verify reciprocity with destination states. Some states distinguish between resident and non-resident Delaware permits when determining recognition.

One-Way or Conditional Reciprocity

Reciprocity is conditional and can change. Delaware's Attorney General recognizes only states with comparable standards and mutual recognition. If another state stops honoring Delaware permits or tightens requirements, Delaware may remove that state from its annual reciprocity list.

Some states honor Delaware CCDW permits even though Delaware does not honor theirs (one-way reciprocity in Delaware's favor). Conversely, states that tighten requirements may drop Delaware from their recognition lists.

Federal Restrictions That Still Apply in Delaware

State CCDW licenses do not override federal firearms restrictions:

Federal facilities (18 U.S.C. § 930):

Firearms are prohibited in federal facilities including federal courthouses, post offices, and certain federal buildings, regardless of Delaware CCDW status.

Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)):

Federal law restricts firearms within 1,000 feet of K-12 schools. Delaware's Safe School and Recreation Zone statutes (11 Del. C. § 1457) operate in parallel. Both systems apply, creating overlapping restrictions.

Interstate transportation (18 U.S.C. § 926A):

Federal law protects interstate transportation of unloaded firearms in locked containers between places where possession is lawful. This protection applies when traveling into or through Delaware but does not create a right to carry concealed on the person without Delaware CCDW compliance.

Recent Legal Changes or Trends

Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit (HQPP):

Delaware enacted a Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit requirement effective November 16, 2025, adding a separate permit layer for handgun purchases. While HQPP affects acquisition rather than the CCDW carry license itself, it raises baseline requirements for lawful handgun possession and indirectly affects who can become CCDW holders.

Safe School and Recreation Zone refinements:

The General Assembly strengthened Safe School and Recreation Zone provisions and added a separate College or University Safe Zone statute (11 Del. C. §§ 1457A, 1457C), increasing penalties for firearm possession in these areas.

State park/WMA litigation (2017):

The Delaware Supreme Court limited DNREC and Department of Agriculture's ability to prohibit lawful firearms in parks and forests, holding that broad bans violated Delaware's constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Subsequent regulations created narrower, location-specific restrictions instead of categorical prohibitions. These rulings remain in force and shape how concealed carry is handled in state parks and Wildlife Management Areas.

Reciprocity list updates:

The Attorney General's reciprocity list updates annually. The list has evolved as states adjust their standards. Practitioners should consult the current Delaware Attorney General CCDW reciprocity page for the most recent recognized states.

Note: As of early 2026, no permitless or constitutional carry legislation has been enacted. Delaware remains a permit-required, court-issued CCDW state with a may-issue framework.

Common Misunderstandings About Concealed Carry in Delaware

"Delaware is a constitutional carry state."

False. Delaware requires a CCDW license to carry a concealed deadly weapon under 11 Del. C. § 1441. Carrying concealed without such a license is a felony under § 1442. Open carry is generally lawful for non-prohibited persons, but this does not authorize concealed carry without a CCDW permit.

"Any out-of-state permit lets me carry concealed in Delaware."

False. Delaware only recognizes permits from states on the Attorney General's annual reciprocity list. Additionally, Delaware residents must have a Delaware CCDW license even if they hold an out-of-state permit. Non-residents from states not recognized by Delaware have no authority to carry concealed in Delaware based solely on their home-state permit.

"A CCDW license lets me carry anywhere in the state."

False. A CCDW license does not override restrictions in Safe School and Recreation Zones, College/University Safe Zones, courthouses, detention facilities, and certain sensitive areas in state parks/Wildlife Management Areas.

Additionally, CCDW licenses do not override private property bans. In K-12 school zones, CCDW licensees may typically only have firearms in vehicles—not on their person in school buildings or on grounds.

"CCDW is shall-issue if I pass the background check."

False. Delaware's CCDW process is formally may-issue. The Superior Court has discretion and relies on Attorney General investigation and five-citizen certificates attesting that carrying is necessary for protection under 11 Del. C. § 1441(a). The court can deny applications or renewal requests for good cause shown, even if the applicant previously held a license.

"Once I have a CCDW, training is one-and-done."

False. Delaware maintains an approved-instructor system administered by the Attorney General. Renewal procedures require affirmation that licensees continue meeting statutory requirements.

Delaware DOJ policy allows requiring additional training or updated certification as part of renewal or for maintaining instructor standards.

Practical Notes for Concealed Carriers in Delaware

Court-administered process: Delaware's Superior Court administration makes the CCDW process more formal than typical sheriff-issued permits. Applicants should expect a multi-month timeline involving publication, Attorney General review, and potential court proceedings.

Five-citizen requirement: The requirement for five respectable citizens of the applicant's county to certify that carrying is "necessary for protection" creates a community-verification element unique to Delaware. Applicants must identify appropriate references before filing.

Fingerprinting timing: Fingerprints must be taken by the State Bureau of Identification within 45 days prior to filing the application. Schedule appointments through the state-designated service providers using county-specific service codes.

Renewal timing: Renewal affidavits may only be filed between January 1 and June 1 of the expiration year. Plan accordingly to avoid license expiration.

Training verification: Only courses taught by Delaware-approved instructors meet statutory requirements. Verify instructor approval before completing training.

Safe School Zone restrictions: CCDW licensees must understand they can only possess firearms in vehicles within Safe School and Recreation Zones—not carry on their person in school buildings or on grounds. This restriction is significantly more limiting than in many other states.

Interstate travel: Before traveling outside Delaware with a CCDW, verify current reciprocity through the Delaware Attorney General's annual list. Recognition varies by state, and some impose additional conditions.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Delaware concealed carry laws as understood in February 2026. It does not constitute legal advice. Laws change through legislation, court decisions, and regulatory updates. Individuals should verify current statutes through official sources including the Delaware Superior Court, Delaware Attorney General's Office, Delaware Code Title 11, and qualified legal counsel before making decisions about firearms carry. When in doubt about any legal question, consult an attorney licensed in Delaware.