DelawareDelaware licenses firearm dealers and sets store safety rules
Firearm dealers must get a state license and follow rules for store security, records, and worker checks and training, with full implementation set for January 1, 2029.
What it does
Dealers must get a state license to sell or transfer firearms. People who sell or transfer 10 or fewer firearms in a calendar year are excluded from the dealer definition.
Dealers must secure their stores and firearm storage areas, keep firearm transaction records, and carry at least $1 million in liability insurance. Home-based and smaller dealers have a limited surveillance option.
Dealers must check workers who handle or process firearm sales, or enter firearm storage areas. Those who handle or process sales must also take training on firearm laws, unsafe sales, theft, and suicide warning signs.
Argument forAlarms, cameras, and regular training could help dealers deter theft and recognize unsafe or unlawful sales.
Argument againstDealers could face added costs for licenses, background checks, business documents, and at least $1 million in liability insurance.
More detail
Firearm dealers must obtain a Delaware state license to sell or transfer firearms. The rules cover firearm dealers, including pawnbrokers, who have or must have a federal firearms license. A person who sells or transfers 10 or fewer firearms in a calendar year is outside the firearm dealer definition. Applicants must submit required documents, pay a fee, and complete background checks. A valid Delaware concealed weapon permit exempts an individual from the specified applicant and responsible-person checks. The law took effect immediately and is to be fully implemented by January 1, 2029. A person with a valid special license who applies for a state license before that date may keep selling or transferring firearms while the State Police reviews the application.
Dealers must secure their business and firearm storage areas, keep records, and carry liability insurance. Dealers must keep firearm acquisition and sale records at their business; the State Police may inspect records to check compliance. Dealers must use an alarm and digital surveillance system under State Police rules. A home-based dealer or a dealer who sells or transfers an average of 50 or fewer firearms per year may use a reduced recording setup. Dealers must carry at least $1 million in general liability insurance. They must report firearm or ammunition loss, theft, or unlawful transfer as soon as practical and no later than 24 hours after they know or should know about it. Dealers must report a loss, theft, or unlawful transfer as soon as practical and within 24 hours after they know or should know about it.
Dealers must arrange background checks and recurring training for covered workers and managers. Covered workers include employees, contractors, and volunteers; responsible persons and individual licensees also have training duties. Background checks apply before covered workers may handle or process firearm sales or enter areas where firearms are stored or displayed; covered workers must also be at least 18 and eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law. Training applies to individual licensees, responsible persons, and employees, contractors, or volunteers who handle firearms or ammunition or process firearm sales or transfers. A valid Delaware concealed weapon permit exempts a person from specified recurring background checks. Covered workers and managers must complete required training every two years. New covered workers must pass a background check before starting covered duties or entering firearm storage or display areas.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 3Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jun 30Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 7 NOMajor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 25Passed By House. Votes: 27 YES 11 NO 1 NOT VOTING 2 ABSENTPassed House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 25Amendment HA 16 to SS 1 - Passed In House by Voice VoteMajor
- Jun 25Amendment HA 16 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 25Amendment HA 15 to SS 1 - Passed In House by Voice VoteMajor
- Jun 25Amendment HA 14 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 13 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 12 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 11 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 10 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 9 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 8 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 7 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 6 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 5 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 4 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 3 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 2 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 25Amendment HA 1 to SS 1 - Stricken in House
- Jun 24Amendment HA 15 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 14 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 13 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 12 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 11 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 10 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 9 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 8 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 7 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 6 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 5 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 4 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 3 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 18Amendment HA 2 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 16Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 3 Favorable, 1 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 16Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 3 Favorable, 1 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 11Assigned to Appropriations Committee in HouseMinor
- Jun 10Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 3 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 10Amendment HA 1 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 4Assigned to Administration Committee in HouseMinor
- May 21Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 6 NO 1 ABSENTPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- May 21Amendment SA 1 to SS 1 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENTMajor
- May 21Amendment SA 1 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- May 20Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its MeritsMinor
- May 13Assigned to Finance Committee in SenateMinor
- May 13Reported Out of Committee (Executive) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 1 On Its MeritsMinor
- May 8Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 300, and Assigned to Executive Committee in SenateIntroduced
Gun PolicyPublic Safety