Delaware Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

Can local governments in Delaware enact their own gun control laws?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes, but only with state approval

4. Yes, but only in certain areas

The correct answer is: No

In Delaware, local governments do not have the authority to enact their own gun control laws. This is due to state preemption, a legal doctrine that reserves the power to regulate firearms exclusively to the state legislature. This means that any regulation regarding the sale, possession, or use of firearms must be enacted at the state level, ensuring a uniform set of gun laws across the state. While local governments can adopt regulations related to gun storage and safety that do not contradict or conflict with state laws, they cannot create laws that impose additional restrictions or change existing state law concerning firearms. This preemption is in place to prevent a patchwork of differing local regulations that could create confusion and inconsistency for gun owners and law enforcement alike.