Delaware

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Delaware

This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to Delaware. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the colonial period through statehood to the present.

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, shipbuilding and manufacturing records, and oral histories tied to Delaware people and places.
Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.

Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.

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2 Del. Laws 1134 (1797)
(1793)
Included "each and every free able bodied white male citizen of this state, who is or shall be of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years." However, "all young men under the age of twenty-one years, and all servants purchased bona fide, and for a valuable consideration, [were] exempted from furnishing the necessary arms, ammunition and accoutrements ... and [were] exempted from militia duties and fines during such minority or servitude, except in cases of rebellion, or an actual or threatened invasion."
2 Del. Laws 1225 (1797)
(1796)
Revised the organization and regulation of the militia, and again included able-bodied white males from 18 to 45. The act also forbade volunteer militias, because there were "a number of free able bodied white men in this state, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, who neglect and refuse to muster and do militia duty, in the companies in which they have been enrolled ... and yet meet together with arms in bodies distinguished and known by the name of Volunteer Companies."
2 Del. Laws 1134 (1797)
(1793)
Included " each and every free able bodied white male citizen of this state, who is or shall be of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years." However, " all young men under the age of twenty-one years, and all servants purchased bona fide, and for a valuable consideration, [were] exempted from furnishing the necessary arms, ammunition and accoutrements . . . and [were] exempted from militia duties and fines during such minority or servitude, except in cases of rebellion, or an actual or threatened invasion."
2 Del. Laws 1225 (1797)
(1796)
Revised the organization and regulation of the militia, and again included able-bodied white males from 18 to 45. The act also forbade volunteer militias, because there were " a number of free able bodied white men in this state, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, who neglect and refuse to muster and do militia duty, in the companies in which they have been enrolled . . . and yet meet together with arms in bodies distinguished and known by the name of Volunteer Companies."
Report of the Board of Park Commissioners of Wilmington, Delaware For the Year 1897, at 24 (1898)
(1897)
Prohibited carry of firearms, shooting birds or other animals within the park, or throwing stones or missiles, or disturbing or annoying the birds or animals within Eden Park.
14 Del. Laws 620 (1871)
(1871)
§ 14: Placed a duty on commissioners, justices, and constables to suppress, extinguish, and prevent bonfires in the public square of Dover. Also required the suppression and preventing of discharge of guns, pistols, fireworks, or throwing fireballs within the town limits.
W.B. Hvland, Wilmington City Code: The Ordinances of the City of Wilmington, Delaware 688-89 (1885)
(1885)
Required supplying retailers to be in kegs, not more than twenty-five pounds, carefully enclosed in good bags, or by putting a sheet of canvas under and around the kegs. When transporting gunpowder the carriage shall contain no more than ten kegs as described above.
14 Del. Laws 605 (1871)
(1871)
§ 14: Placed a duty on commissioners, justices, and constables to suppress, extinguish, and prevent bonfires in the public square of Dover. Also required the suppression and preventing of discharge of guns, pistols, fireworks, or throwing fireballs within the town limits.
1852 Del. Rev. Stat. 215-16
(1852)
Title Tenth-Of Corporations, Chapter 73-Of the city of Wilmington, § 27: Authorized the city council to regulate the storage of gunpowder.
The Charter of the City of Wilmington, at pt. 7, § 7 (1893)
(1893)
Prohibited carry of firearms, shooting birds or other animals within the park, or throwing stones or missiles.
1837 Del. Laws 166-67 (Spec. Sess.)
(1837)
An Act To Prevent the Discharge Of Fire-arms In the Village of Camden, Kent County, And For Other Purposes Therein Mentioned, ch. 123, § 1: Prohibited discharge of any gun, "ordnance," musket, fowling-piece, fuse, or pistol within the village of Camden. Also prohibited the use of bonfires, firecrackers, squibs, or throwing any fireballs or rockets within one quarter of a mile of the village center. §2 and §3 had separate punishments between whites and minorities. Whites who violate the law are punished with a fine not less than one nor exceeding five dollars. Minorities who could not pay the same fine immediately upon conviction, the offender shall be jailed for one month, unless the fine is paid sooner.
1845 Del. Laws 10
(1845)
A Supplement To The Act Entitled "An Act To Survey, Lay Out And Regulate the Streets Of Smyrna and for Other Purposes," ch. 12, § 2: Imposed a duty on commissioners, justices of the peace, and constables to extinguish and prevent bonfires in the streets, lanes, and alleys. The duty also included the suppression and preventing discharge of guns, pistols, crackers, squibs, or fire-balls in the town limits.
22 Del. Laws 408 (1901)
(1901)
§ 16: Authorized the aldermen to extinguish and prevent bonfires in the streets, lanes, and alleys. The duty also included the suppression and preventing discharge of guns, pistols, firecrackers or fireworks in the town limits.
14 Del. Laws 138 (1871)
(1871)
§ 17: Placed a duty on commissioners, justices, and constables to suppress, extinguish, and prevent bonfires in the public square of Dover. Also required the suppression and preventing of discharge of guns, pistols, fireworks, or throwing fireballs within the town limits.
22 Del. Laws 381 (1901)
(1901)
§ 9: Authorized the town to regulate the storage of gunpowder and any other dangerous or combustible materials.
23 Del. Laws 399 (1905)
(1904)
Of Cities and Towns, AN ACT to re-incorporate the Town of Milton, § 8: Authorized the town to regulate the storage of gunpowder and any other dangerous or combustible materials. Note: Duke Center of Firearms Law incorrectly labeled this as a 1901 law, possibly because 1901 laws are from Del. Laws vol. XXII part 1, whereas this is from Del. Laws. vol. XXII part 2.
37 Del. Laws 813 (1931)
(1931)
Ch. 249, § 1: Prohibited a person from possessing a machine gun. Punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
8 Del. Laws 198 (1841)
(1841)
A Supplement to the Act Entitled "An Act for Establishing the Boundaries of the Town of Dover, and for Other Purposes Therein Mentioned, § 2: Placed a duty on commissioners, justices, and constables to suppress, extinguish, and prevent bonfires in the public square of Dover. Also required the suppression and preventing of discharge of guns, firecrackers, squibs within the town limits.
22 Del. Laws 403 (1901)
(1901)
§ 9: Authorized the town to regulate the storage of gunpowder and any other dangerous or combustible materials.
14 Del. Laws 160 (1871)
(1871)
§ 13: Placed a duty on commissioners, justices, and constables to suppress, extinguish, and prevent bonfires in the public square of Dover. Also required the suppression and preventing of discharge of guns, pistols, fireworks, or throwing fireballs within the town limits.
22 Del. Laws 387 (1901)
(1901)
§ 17: Authorized the aldermen to extinguish and prevent bonfires in the streets, lanes, and alleys. The duty also included the suppression and preventing discharge of guns, pistols, firecrackers or fireworks in the town limits.
22 Del. Laws 939 (1909)
(1901)
§ 9: Authorized the town to regulate the storage of gunpowder and any other dangerous or combustible materials.
1852 Del. Laws 664
(1852)
An Act To Incorporate the Town of Camden and for Other Purposes, ch. 652, § 3: Authorized the elected commissioners to regulate the discharge of guns or pistols.
22 Del. Laws 945 (1901)
(1901)
§ 18: Authorized the aldermen to extinguish and prevent bonfires in the streets, lanes, and alleys. The duty also included the suppression and preventing discharge of guns, pistols, firecrackers or fireworks in the town limits.
Game and Fish Laws of the State of Delaware 16 (1927)
(1927)
§ 2381A. Sec. 24A: Prohibited the use of any silencer or noise-reducing contrivance on any gun, rifle, or firearm when hunting game or fowl. Violators fined twenty dollars for each offense.
16 Del. Laws 716 (1879)
(1881)
Ch. 548, § 1: Prohibited the carrying of concealed deadly weapons or selling deadly weapons other than an ordinary pocket knife to minors. Punishable by a fine of $25-200 or imprisonment for 10-30 days.
26 Del. Laws 28-29 (1911)
(1911)
§ 2: Prohibited the sale of any pistol, revolver, pistol cartridges, revolver cartridges, stiletto, steel or brass knuckles, or other deadly weapons made especially for the defense of one's person, without having a license labeled "Special License to Sell Deadly Weapons." § 3: Prohibited the sale of firearms, ammunition, and other deadly weapons to minors and incompetent persons.
30 Del. Laws 484 (1919)
(1918)
Minors Under Fifteen Not to Use Gun Unless Accompanied by an Adult, § 2382 A. Sec. 25 A: Prohibited any minors under age fifteen from hunting game birds or game animals with a rifle or shotgun unless accompanied by an adult who is lawfully hunting.
30 Del. Laws 55-56 (1919)
(1919)
Prohibited the sale to any minor or intoxicated person, any revolver, pistol, revolver cartridge, pistol cartridge, stiletto, steel knuckles, brass knuckles, or other deadly weapons made for the defense of one's person.
1839 Del. Laws 263
(1893)
An Act for the Protection of Fish and Game In and on the Waters of the Delaware Bay and River, and The Streams, Tributary Thereto, Within the Limits of this State, ch. 216, § 1: Prohibited non-Delaware citizens from hunting, shooting, or killing any geese, ducks, fowls, birds, or other kind whatever. Violators forfeit the boat, vessel, and/or gun used to violate the act. Violators also shall pay a fine of two hundred dollars for each offense.
1893 Del. Rev. Stat. 432
(1893)
Prohibited trespassing on lands with a gun and/or a dog for the purpose of shooting birds or game. Violators shall pay a fine of five dollars and shall forfeit the gun until the fine is paid.
25 Del. Laws 577 (1909)
(1909)
House Joint Resolution Providing for Increase in Non-Resident Gunners License Fee, ch. 271: Imposed licensing requirement for non-residents who " make it a practice to gun " in the state.
26 Del. Laws 324 (1911)
(1911)
Of Fish, Oysters and Game, § 8: Prohibited the unlawful shooting or killing of any birds or animals protected by laws of the state using any device, swivel, punt gun, or any gun other than shouldered weapons raised at arm's length. Also prohibited hunting with the aid of artificial light or lantern, dog, or dogs equipped with bells or other noise-producing device.
27 Del. Laws 439 (1913)
(1913)
§ 18: Prohibited children under the age of 15 from being employed, permitted or suffered to work in any establishment manufacturing, compounding, or storing nitroglycerine, dynamite, dualin, guncotton, gunpowder, or other high or dangerous explosives.
1893 Del. Rev. Stat. 716
(1893)
Ch. 548: Prohibited the concealed carrying of deadly weapons or selling deadly weapons other than an ordinary pocket knife, and prohibited discharging any firearm in any public road. Punishable by fine of $25-100 or by imprisonment for 10-30 days.
37 Del. Laws 771 (1931)
(1931)
Ch. 225, § 1: Prohibited the carry of a gun while training dogs in a closed game season. Violators fined not less than nor more than one hundred dollars with costs of prosecution, and shall be committed to the County jail for thirty days unless the fine and costs are paid sooner.
1863 Del. Laws 332
(1863)
An Act in Relation to Free Negroes and Mulattoes, ch. 305, § 7: Prohibited any "free negroes and free mulattoes" from possessing a gun, pistol, sword, or any other warlike instrument, punishable by fine or imprisonment.
1863 Del. Laws 372
(1863)
An Act to Amend Chapter 55 of the Revised Code of the State of Delaware, Entitled "For The Protection Of Fish, Oysters and Game," chap. 328, § 10: Prohibited hunting in the state by anyone who is not a citizen of Delaware. Prohibited the hunting of any fish, wild goose, wild duck, or other wild fowl. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not less fifty, nor more than one hundred dollars. Any boat or vessel, apparell, furniture, gun, decoy geese, or decoy ducks shall be forfeited.
2 Del. Laws 1136-37 (1797)
(1793)
Chapter 36-An Act for Establishing the Militia in this State, § 4: Required all citizens enrolled in the militia to arm themselves, within six months, with a good musket or firelock, a bayonet, belt, two spare flints, a knapsack, a pouch, and a box to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges and gunpowder suited to the bore of his gun, or twenty cartridges and a quarter-pound of gunpowder.
1829 Del. Laws 153 (Rev. ed.)
(1827)
An Act Concerning Crimes and Offenses Committed by Slaves, And For, The Security of Slaves Properly Demeaning Themselves, ch. 6, § 8: Prohibited "any negro or mulatto slave" from carrying any gun, pistol, sword, dirk, or unusual or dangerous weapons or arms without special permission.

Delaware

Delaware

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