Delaware State Police have launched a new online system for residents seeking to purchase a handgun, in line with a new state law requiring a permit to buy. The “Permit to Purchase Application Portal” is now live and will be mandatory for all prospective handgun buyers beginning November 16.
The portal collects a wide range of personal information, including the applicant’s name, home address, gender, date of birth, email, race and ethnicity, as well as employment status and employer details. In addition to this information, applicants must provide proof of completing a state-approved firearms training course.
As part of the process, applicants are also required to schedule an appointment for electronic fingerprinting. This biometric step adds another layer to the vetting process, significantly expanding the requirements beyond what was previously needed to legally purchase a handgun in Delaware.
Applicants will also be required to answer the same questions found on the federal ATF Form 4473, which is used nationwide for firearm background checks. Among these is a question about marijuana use, which remains a disqualifier under federal law—even in states where the substance is legal.
Once an application is submitted in full, the Delaware State Bureau of Identification will have 30 days to make a determination. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant, causing delays in processing.
There are several exemptions to the new requirement. Individuals who already possess a Delaware Concealed Deadly Weapon license are not required to obtain the new purchase permit. Other exemptions include certified firearm instructors, competitive shooters, and hunters who hold a valid state safety certification.
The new permit system and its associated portal are part of a broader push by state lawmakers to increase gun control measures in Delaware. Critics argue that the process creates unnecessary hurdles for law-abiding citizens while doing little to deter criminals, who are unlikely to follow the permitting process in the first place. Supporters claim it adds a necessary level of oversight to ensure that firearms do not fall into the wrong hands.
With the new mandate taking effect mid-November, would-be handgun buyers now face a more involved process that places additional administrative and time burdens on exercising a constitutional right.
