Delaware

Secure Storage
Laws in Delaware

Delaware has all of the foundational gun laws in place. These gun safety laws include a secure storage/child access prevention law, which has existed in the state since 1994.

State Requirements

Secure Storage in Delaware

Delaware state law requires gun owners to securely store their firearms — in the home and in vehicles — to prevent children, teens, and other unauthorized users from accessing them. Expand each section below for full requirements and what happens if they aren’t met.

The information provided here is not legal advice and should not be understood as such. Consult with an attorney if you have questions about how your state’s laws apply to your specific circumstances.

Unless gun owners are carrying or controlling their firearms, gun owners in Delaware are required to store their loaded firearm(s) in their homes securely to keep children, teens, and other unauthorized users from accessing them. To comply with state law, gun owners must do one of the following when they store or leave a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of a child or other unauthorized users

  • Store the firearm in a locked box or container;
  • Disable the firearm with a tamper-resistant trigger lock; or
  • Store the firearm in a location that is not accessible by children or anyone prohibited from gun possession.

If a gun owner leaves a firearm in an unattended vehicle, they must do one of the following to comply with updates to the secure storage law that went into effect in 2024:

  • Store the firearm in a locked box or container (which does not include the glove compartment unless it can be manually locked and accessed only by authorized users);
  • Store the firearm on a locked firearms rack on the vehicle; or
  • Lock the firearm in the trunk of the vehicle.

Gun owners may be subject to criminal penalties if they fail to follow these requirements. They may face increased criminal penalties if an unauthorized person gains access to a firearm and uses it to commit or attempt to commit a crime, inflict serious injury or death, or transfer or attempt to transfer it to another unauthorized person.

By the Numbers

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More than 1,300 children and teens (0–19) die by gun suicide each year — 4 children and teens each day.Everytown Research analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, WONDER Online Database, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death (accessed August 10, 2026). Average: 2021–2025. Ages: 0–19.

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More than 200,000 guns are stolen from individuals every year; a significant portion of those are stolen from cars.

Best Practices

Secure Storage for Homes and Vehicles

Gun safety is always an adult’s responsibility, no matter what your state’s laws require — secure storage protects your kids, family, and community from tragedy.

There are many types of storage devices to meet the needs of different gun owners, but the best solution is one you will use consistently, every time.

Take the time, every time, to secure your gun.

Remember

Just because a gun is out of sight does not mean it is stored securely

Firearms “hidden” in places such as under mattresses, on closet shelves, in nightstand drawers, or under the seat in a vehicle can be found by curious or determined children and teens, who may — intentionally or unintentionally — kill or injure themselves or others. It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike.

Locked Up

With keys or codes kept private

Unloaded

Ensure there is no ammunition in the gun

Separate from ammunition

Store ammunition in a different place from guns

Download

Delaware Secure Gun Storage Sheet

Download information about secure gun storage in Delaware in English or Spanish.