• CCDW holders are not required to apply for a handgun purchaser permit.
  • https://courts.delaware.gov/superior/weapons.aspx
  • CCDW holders are not required to obtain a Permit to Purchase and transferors, including licensed dealers, licensed manufacturers, or licensed importers, and their employees, may lawfully sell or deliver a handgun to a CCDW holder who does not have a Permit to Purchase.

This section applies to everyone who is not qualified active law-enforcement, qualified retired law-enforcement or a CCDW license holder. If you fall into one of these exempt categories, please visit the corresponding tab.

1. Step #1: Complete a Firearms Training Course with a certified instructor
   1. Under 11 Del C. § 1448D, the training course must include:
      1. Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of firearms.
      2. Instruction regarding safe storage of firearms and child safety.
      3. Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of ammunition.
      4. Instruction regarding safe storage of ammunition and child safety.
      5. Instruction regarding safe firearms shooting fundamentals.
      6. Live fire shooting exercises conducted on a range, including the expenditure of a minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition.
      7. Identification of ways to develop and maintain firearm shooting skills.
      8. Instruction regarding federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms.
      9. Instruction regarding the laws of this State pertaining to the use of deadly force.
      10. Instruction regarding techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution.
      11. Instruction regarding suicide prevention.
   2. Pre-Approved Firearms Training Instructors
   3. Training courses that satisfy the requirements of the statute offered by instructors who are not on the pre-approved list may also satisfy the statutory requirements. To find out if a course qualifies in advance of enrollment or whether a specific completed course qualifies, please contact the Permit to Purchase helpline at (302) 741-2800 during business hours or email DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov. Business hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. If you submit a course certificate with your application that does not clearly satisfy the statutory requirements, the Permit to Purchase Office will contact you and/or the course provider to obtain additional information to determine if it meets the requirements.
2. Step #2: Fingerprints/Photo ID appointment with IdentoGO
   The service code required for obtaining a handgun qualified purchaser permit (permit to purchase) is 27S8N2.  This code is strictly for the permit to purchase background checks.  Use of any other code will not be accepted, and you will have to pay to be fingerprinted again using the correct code.(Service Code 27S8N2)
   https://uenroll.identogo.com
3. Step #3: Complete online application https://dsp.delaware.gov/p2p-applicant-portal/
   Paper applications are available at all DSP Troop locations and can also be submitted at the SBI Permit to Purchase office with all required documents.
   1. Upload the following documents with application
      1. Photo identification
      2. Military orders (if applicable)
      3. Firearms Training Course Certificate or proof of exemption

By law, SBI will issue a decision within 30 days from receiving a complete application. In the event an application is denied, SBI will notify the applicant of the decision. Applications submitted without all required steps will not be processed. Applicants will be notified of any missing items and may resubmit once requirements are met.

For any questions regarding the application process, please call the Permit to Purchase helpline at (302) 741-2800 or email DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov. Business hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Effective 11/16/2025 hours will be Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• This section applies to those persons who meet the definition of a “qualified law-enforcement officer” as defined in 11 Del C. 1441A(c).
• https://delcode.delaware.gov/title11/c005/sc07/index.html#1441A

1. Step #1: Complete online application https://dsp.delaware.gov/p2p-applicant-portal/
   1. Upload the following documents with application
      1. Photo identification (government issued)
      2. Copy of agency issued photo identification

•  This section applies to those persons who meet the definition of a “qualified retired law-enforcement officer” as described in 11 Del C. 1441B(c).
• https://delcode.delaware.gov/title11/c005/sc07/index.html#1441B
• Proof of separation in good standing with 10+ years of service or completed probationary status and suffered service-connected injury
• During the most recent 12-month period, the individual has met the standards for qualification in firearms training for active law-enforcement officers determined by the individual’s former agency, a law enforcement agency within the State of Delaware, or the standards used by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty law enforcement officers within that state.

1. Step #1: Complete online application https://dsp.delaware.gov/p2p-applicant-portal/
   1. Upload the following documents with application
      1. Photo identification (government issued)
      2. Copy of agency issued photo identification indicating retired status

1. Who needs to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit?
   Any Delaware resident wishing to purchase a handgun who does not possess a valid CCDW license issued by Superior Court of Delaware.
2. Can a CCDW license holder purchase a handgun without first acquiring a Permit to Purchase?
   Yes. CCDW holders are not required to obtain a Permit to Purchase and transferors, including licensed dealers, licensed manufacturers, or licensed importers, and their employees, may lawfully sell or deliver a handgun to a CCDW holder who does not have a Permit to Purchase.
   
3. Do nonresidents need to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit?
   No, per federal law handguns may only be transferred to individuals within their state of residence.  Therefore, nonresidents must go through an FFL within their state of residence to purchase and take possession of a handgun.
4. Am I required to take the firearms training safety course to obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit?
   The following individuals are exempt from the training course requirement but must submit proof of their exemption along with their application:
   • (1) qualified law-enforcement officers,
   • (2) qualified retired law-enforcement officers,
   • (3) sheriffs and deputy sheriffs,
   • (4) persons licensed to carry a concealed deadly weapon under 11 Del C. 1441,
   • (5) Federal firearms licensees and Delaware deadly weapons dealers licensed and regulated under Chapter 9 of Title 24,
   • (6) Armored car guards and security personnel licensed and regulated under Chapter 13 of Title 24,
   • (7) Constables commissioned and regulated under Chapter 56 of Title 24,
   • (8) Delaware correctional officers,
   • (9) Members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard and the reserve elements thereof, including members of the Delaware National Guard,
   • (10) Instructors certified by the National Rifle Association of America,
   • (11) Persons holding a valid Delaware hunter safety certification card,
   • (12) Competitive shooters holding competitor classification cards issued by the National Rifle Association of America, the International Defensive Pistol Association, the International Practical Shooting Confederation, or the United States Practical Shooting Association.
5. What documents are required for submission of my application?
   Along with your completed application, you will need to submit a copy of your Delaware driver’s license or identification card, completed firearms training course certification or proof of exemption of the training course requirement, proof of qualified law-enforcement or retired law-enforcement (if applicable), military orders (if applicable).
6. What if I don’t have computer access to complete the online application?
   Paper applications are available at all DSP Troop locations and can also be submitted at the SBI Permit to Purchase office with all required documents.

Training instructors are listed in alphabetical order. All instructors are equally qualified to conduct firearms trainings.

Pre-Approved Firearms Instructors

Handgun Qualified Purchaser Permit law 11 Del C. § 1448D

Paper applications are available at all DSP Troop locations and can also be submitted at the SBI Permit to Purchase office with all required documents.

Permit to Purchase
600 S. Bay Road, Suite 1
Dover, DE 19901

(302)741-2800
DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov

Business hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Effective 11/16/2025 hours will be Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.