Delaware’s new gun control law, requiring residents to obtain a Permit to Purchase before buying or transferring a handgun, just took a major step forward. The Delaware State Police (DSP) have officially launched an online application portal, opening the door for residents to begin the permitting process before the law takes effect on November 16.
Under the new system, Delawareans will no longer be able to buy or transfer a handgun without first securing a state-issued permit. The law was signed earlier this year as part of the state’s ongoing push to tighten firearm purchase requirements.
What Gun Owners Need to Know
According to DSP, applicants must complete several steps before being approved to purchase a handgun:
- Complete a Firearms Safety Course — The course must be taught by an approved instructor listed on the official Permit to Purchase website.
- Schedule Fingerprinting — Fingerprinting is handled through IdentoGO using Service Code 27S8N2 and is a required part of the background check process.
- Submit the Online Application — Applicants must upload a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of firearms training (or exemption), and military orders if applicable through the Permit to Purchase Application Portal.
The Delaware State Bureau of Identification (SBI) has 30 days from receipt of a completed application to issue a decision. Incomplete submissions will be returned for correction, delaying approval.
Those who already hold a valid Delaware Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license are exempt from the new permitting requirement.
Offline Option Still Available
For residents without internet access, paper applications can be picked up at any Delaware State Police troop and must be submitted in person at the SBI Dover office. Applications are processed in the order received, but DSP has warned that heavy demand could create delays once the law takes effect.
Background and Concerns
The Permit to Purchase requirement is part of Delaware’s broader effort to implement so-called “common sense gun reforms.” Supporters argue the law will prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining handguns. However, Second Amendment advocates have criticized the policy as an unnecessary burden on law-abiding citizens and a potential barrier to the lawful exercise of self-defense rights.
Fingerprinting and training requirements, they argue, create a costly and time-consuming process that may deter first-time buyers and lower-income residents from owning a firearm. Critics have also noted that Delaware already conducts background checks through the FBI’s NICS system, making the new permit an additional layer of bureaucracy.
Important Links
Applications submitted on or after November 16 will be subject to the new law. DSP advises applicants to complete training and fingerprinting as early as possible to avoid processing delays.
More on TTAG about the Permit to Purchase Law: