Open Carry in Delaware
Whether open carry is legal in Delaware, any permit or age rules, and where it is banned.
Short answer: Delaware has no state law that requires a license to carry a firearm openly; the license requirement in § 1442 applies to carrying a deadly weapon concealed. 11 Del. C. ch. 5, subch. VII, §§ 1441-1469A (reviewed); 11 Del. C. §§ 1442, 1448(a)(5)
| Open carry | Delaware has no state law that requires a license to carry a firearm openly; the license requirement in § 1442 applies to carrying a deadly weapon concealed. Persons under 21 may not possess a firearm other than a shotgun or muzzle-loading rifle, with exceptions (for example, supervised hunting or sport, or a CCDW holder 18 or older). Firearms are barred in listed places (see prohibited_places). Reviewed the weapons sections of 11 Del. C. ch. 5, subch. VII (§§ 1441-1469A) on 2026-10-27; no open-carry license provision found. |
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| Guns in your car | Delaware has no state law that specifically permits carrying a handgun in a vehicle without a license. Carrying a concealed deadly weapon 'upon or about the person' without a license is a crime (a class D felony when the weapon is a firearm), but 'It shall be a defense that the defendant complied with § 1456(b) of this title.' Section 1456(b) makes it unsafe storage to knowingly leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle unless it is in a locked box or container, a locked firearms rack on a motor vehicle, or locked in the trunk; a glove compartment counts as a locked container only if it can be manually locked so the firearm is inaccessible to anyone other than the owner or an authorized person. Unsafe storage in a vehicle is a class B misdemeanor (class A misdemeanor if an unauthorized person gets the firearm and uses it in listed ways). Reviewed the weapons sections of 11 Del. C. ch. 5, subch. VII (§§ 1441-1469A) on 2026-10-27; §§ 1442(d) and 1456(b) are the only provisions addressing firearms in vehicles outside school, college and recreation safe-zone exceptions. |
| Where guns are banned | Safe School Zones (class E felony); Safe Recreation Zones such as recreation centers, athletic fields and sports stadiums (when committing listed offenses, or juveniles); polling places (class A misdemeanor); and college or university safe zones (class A misdemeanor). |
More Delaware gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Delaware
- Buying a Gun in Delaware
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Delaware
- All Delaware gun laws rules
FAQ
Is open carry legal in Delaware?
Delaware has no state law that requires a license to carry a firearm openly; the license requirement in § 1442 applies to carrying a deadly weapon concealed. Persons under 21 may not possess a firearm other than a shotgun or muzzle-loading rifle, with exceptions (for example, supervised hunting or sport, or a CCDW holder 18 or older). Firearms are barred in listed places (see prohibited_places).
Can you keep a gun in your car in Delaware without a permit?
Delaware has no state law that specifically permits carrying a handgun in a vehicle without a license. Carrying a concealed deadly weapon 'upon or about the person' without a license is a crime (a class D felony when the weapon is a firearm), but 'It shall be a defense that the defendant complied with § 1456(b) of this title.' Section 1456(b) makes it unsafe storage to knowingly leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle unless it is in a locked box or container, a locked firearms rack on a motor vehicle, or locked in the trunk; a glove compartment counts as a locked container only if it can be manually locked so the firearm is inaccessible to anyone other than the owner or an authorized person. Unsafe storage in a vehicle is a class B misdemeanor (class A misdemeanor if an unauthorized person gets the firearm and uses it in listed ways).
Where can't you carry a gun in Delaware?
Safe School Zones (class E felony); Safe Recreation Zones such as recreation centers, athletic fields and sports stadiums (when committing listed offenses, or juveniles); polling places (class A misdemeanor); and college or university safe zones (class A misdemeanor).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.