Edited November 15, 2025| 3:52 p.m.

The Delaware State Police, through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI), announces the upcoming launch of the Permit to Purchase Program, which will open for registration in the coming weeks.

Under Delaware law, a handgun qualified purchaser permit will be required to purchase or transfer a handgun in Delaware. Permits will be issued by the State Bureau of Identification within the Delaware State Police.

The Delaware State Police encourages Delaware residents planning to buy a handgun to visit the Permit to Purchase website to learn about the training and documentation requirements associated with the new law. The Permit to Purchase law takes effect on November 16, 2025, and individuals are urged to review the process ahead of that date to ensure they are prepared to meet all necessary criteria.

Although the registration link is temporarily inactive, the webpage offers a complete overview of the program and will be activated once the online application portal is operational.

Update (October 28, 2025): The online application portal is now live and accepting applications. For background, please see our October 28, 2025, news release, which announced the launch.

PERMIT TO PURCHASE PROCESS

To obtain a handgun qualified purchaser permit, applicants must:

1. Complete a firearms training course with a certified instructor. Training courses that satisfy the requirements of the 11 Del C. § 1448D 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.
2. Obtain fingerprints and a photograph through an appointment with IdentoGO (Service Code 27S8N2).
3. Pass a background check conducted by SBI.

Applicants must also submit the following documents when filling out the online application:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Military orders (if applicable)
• Firearms Training Course Certificate or proof of exemption

Individuals with a valid Delaware Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license issued by the Superior Court are not required to apply for a handgun qualified purchaser permit.

Exemptions and Special Circumstances

This process applies to anyone who is not an active or retired law enforcement officer or a current CCDW holder. Qualified law enforcement officers, retired officers, military members, and other specific groups may be exempt from the firearms training course requirement. Proof of exemption must be submitted with the application.

Exemptions to the firearms training requirement are specified in Delaware law.

A list of pre-approved firearms instructors is available on the Permit to Purchase website and is updated regularly as new instructors are pre-approved.

Registration and Contact Information

In the coming week, applicants will be able to access and submit their applications through the Permit to Purchase Portal once it becomes available.

All application-related correspondence will be managed through DSP_SBIP2PMail@delaware.gov. The Permit to Purchase website will be the main source for program updates and detailed information.

Delaware State Police arrested 35-year-old Kerryn Vinson and 33-year-old Taysha Bultran, both from Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with organized retail theft and a subsequent vehicle pursuit, which occurred Monday, in Wilmington.

On October 13, 2025, at approximately 6 p.m., troopers responded to a theft in progress at Dick’s House of Sport, located at 1000 Brandywine Parkway, in Wilmington. Store employees reported that three suspects had stolen an estimated $2,500 worth of merchandise and fled the scene in a Chevrolet Malibu bearing a Delaware temporary registration tag. Responding troopers located a vehicle matching that description traveling southbound on Concord Pike, near I-95. When troopers attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled into the City of Wilmington, committing multiple traffic violations in an attempt to evade capture.

The suspect vehicle was located moments later near E. 28th Street and Jessup Street. Troopers observed the suspects running from the Malibu while carrying stolen merchandise. After a brief foot chase, Kerryn Vinson was apprehended. Shortly afterwards, Taysha Bultran was also arrested. Troopers are still searching for the driver who is described as an unknown black male.

Vinson was taken to Troop 1 where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on her own recognizance.

• Theft Organized Retail Crime (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest

Bultran was taken to Troop 1 where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on her own recognizance.

• Theft Organized Retail Crime (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Organized Retail Crime Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with relevant information to contact Detective J. Klink at (302) 365-8435. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery that occurred at a Newark motel last night.

On October 15, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m., troopers responded to Motel 6, located at 100 McIntosh Plaza in Newark, for a report of a robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that a woman met a man online and agreed to meet at Motel 6. When the man arrived, a second man approached moments later, armed with a handgun. The suspects demanded the victim’s money and property then fled. The victim was not hurt.

The suspects are described as black males and were seen fleeing eastbound on Christiana Road in a dark-colored sedan.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective D. Patterson by calling (302) 365-8404 or emailing David.Patterson@delaware.gov. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Police are investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred last night in Milford.

On October 15, 2025, at approximately 8:35 p.m., a Ford Mustang was traveling northbound on Bay Road north of Jenkins Pond Road. For reasons still under investigation, the Mustang left the east side of the roadway, struck a tree, and as a result, caught fire with the driver still inside.

The driver, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bay Road was closed for an extended time while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Corporal J. Lane at (302) 698-8547. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Police have arrested 60-year-old Craig Beckett, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for burglary and related charges.

On September 27, 2025, at approximately 11:45 a.m., troopers responded to 302 The Local, located at 19819 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach, for a report of a burglary. When troopers arrived, they learned that earlier in the morning, a black male suspect, forced entry into an outdoor walk-in refrigerator behind the business, and stole a large quantity of food and alcoholic beverages valued at nearly $2,000.

On October 13, 2025, at approximately 3:32 p.m., troopers responded to the same restaurant for a report of another burglary. During the investigation, troopers learned that at approximately 3:00 p.m., a black male suspect, wearing all black clothing, and carrying a white backpack, forced entry to the outdoor walk-in refrigerator. Once inside the suspect stole food and fled the scene on a bicycle.

Troopers searched the area and stopped a man, later identified as Craig Beckett, who matched the description of the suspect, riding a bicycle and carrying a backpack. While talking to Beckett, troopers learned the stolen food was in the backpack. He was arrested without incident and through investigative means, detectives identified Beckett as the suspect in the September burglary.

Beckett was taken to Troop 7, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $14,000 secured bond.

• Burglary 3^rd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony)
• Theft over $1,500 (Felony)
• Theft under $1,500
• Criminal Mischief under $1,000 – 2 counts

Delaware State Police arrested 32-year-old Tristan Proffitt, of Hockessin, Delaware, for vehicular assault, DUI, and related charges following a crash that occurred Saturday night in Newark.

On October 11, 2025, at approximately 10:00 p.m., troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Paper Mill Road and Polly Drummond Hill Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a Kia Sportage was traveling northbound on Polly Drummond Hill Road, approaching Paper Mill Road. At the same time, a Kia Forte was traveling southbound on Paper Mill Road, approaching Polly Drummond Hill Road. The Sportage drove through a red light, entered the intersection, and was struck by the Forte.

Troopers contacted Tristan Proffitt, identified as the driver of the Sportage. While speaking to him, troopers observed several signs of impairment and began a DUI investigation. After completing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Proffitt was found to be impaired. He was subsequently taken into custody without incident.

The driver of the Forte, a 40-year-old man from Middletown, Delaware, and his passenger, a 21-year-old man from Newark, Delaware, were both taken to an area hospital with serious injuries.

Proffitt was taken to Troop 6, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released on a $2,500 unsecured bond.

• Vehicular Assault 1st Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
• Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of a Combination of Alcohol and Any Drug
• Failure to Stop at a Red Light

Delaware State Police have identified 27-year-old Savion Lea, of Middletown, Delaware, as the man who died in the fatal crash in Middletown on Friday.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Police arrested 20-year-old Melleca Butler of Georgetown, Delaware, for multiple weapon-related felonies following a road rage incident in Georgetown yesterday morning.

On October 10, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., troopers responded to the area of Dupont Boulevard and Shortly Road for a report of a road rage incident involving a firearm. The investigation revealed that a GMC Yukon with Delaware registration pulled alongside the victim, a 49-year-old man from Houston, Delaware, while both vehicles were traveling southbound on Dupont Boulevard. Some type of road rage incident occurred, during which the driver of the Yukon displayed a handgun before continuing southbound. The suspect was described as black and wearing a blue hoodie and glasses.

Troopers, assisted by officers from the Millsboro Police Department, patrolled the area and located the suspect vehicle near the intersection of Laurel Road and Dupont Boulevard in Millsboro. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, who matched the description provided, was identified as Melleca Butler. She was taken into custody without incident.

A consent search of the vehicle revealed an unloaded handgun concealed between the driver’s seat and the center console. A computer inquiry revealed that Butler does not have a permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon.

Butler was transported to Troop 4, where she was charged with the following crimes:

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)

She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $23,500 cash bond.

Delaware State Police have arrested three 17-year-old male Odessa High School students in connection with a robbery that occurred Wednesday.

On October 8, 2025, a School Resource Officer (SRO) was notified of a robbery that occurred in one of the schools’ restrooms. The investigation revealed that at approximately 11:45 a.m., the three teenagers approached another 17-year-old male student while in the restroom. The suspects pinned the victim against a wall, removed his personal property, then fled. The victim was not injured during the incident.

As of October 10, 2025, all three teenagers, who are from Townsend, Delaware, were identified, arrested, and charged with the following crimes:

• Robbery 2nd Degree (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)

They were arraigned by the New Castle County Family Court where one was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond and two were released on $8,000 unsecured bonds.

Delaware State Police have arrested 36-year-old Jeremy Cooper of Laurel, Delaware, for gun and drug charges following a traffic last night in Laurel.

On October 9, 2025, at approximately 10:12 p.m., a trooper on patrol saw a Dodge Dakota traveling on Georgetown Road near Sussex Highway in Laurel with a registration violation. The trooper pulled the truck over in the parking lot of Hardee’s, located at 30759 Sussex Highway, and spoke to the driver, identified as Jeremy Cooper. While talking to Cooper, he did not provide registration or insurance information for the truck. After another computer check, troopers spoke to Cooper again and learned there was a sawed-off shotgun in the truck. He was detained without incident.

During a search of the Dodge, troopers located the following items:

• Sawed-off .410-gauge shotgun
• .410-gauge, 12-gauge, and 20-gauge shotgun ammunition
• Various rifle ammunition
• 2 .556 caliber magazines
• Approximately 0.1 grams of methamphetamines
• Drug paraphernalia

Cooper was arrested and taken to Troop 5, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on a $10,100 unsecured bond.

• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon – Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of a Destructive Weapon – Sawed-Off Shotgun (Felony)
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance Except Human Growth Hormone Without a Prescription
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Failure to Have Required Insurance
• Operation of an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Fictitious or Canceled Registration