§ 111 — Limitation on firearm regulations

(a) The municipal governments shall enact no law, ordinance or regulation prohibiting, restricting or licensing the ownership, transfer, possession or transportation of firearms or components of firearms or ammunition except that the discharge of a firearm may be regulated; provided any law, ordinance or regulation incorporates the justification defenses as found in Title 11. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to invalidate municipal ordinances existing before July 4, 1985, and any ordinance enacted after July 4, 1985, is hereby repealed. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, the City of Wilmington may, in addition to the nature and extent of regulation permitted by this section, enact any law or ordinance governing the possession or concealment of a paintball gun within its corporate limits as it deems necessary to protect the public safety.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section notwithstanding, municipal governments may adopt ordinances regulating the possession of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, or explosives in police stations and municipal buildings which contain all of the provisions contained in this subsection. Any ordinance adopted by a municipal government regulating possession of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, or explosives in police stations or municipal buildings shall require that all areas where possession is restricted are clearly identified by a conspicuous sign posted at each entrance to the restricted areas. The sign may also specify that persons in violation may be denied entrance to the building or be ordered to leave the building. Any ordinance adopted by municipal governments relating to possession in police stations or municipal buildings shall also state that any person who immediately foregoes entry or immediately exits such building due to the possession of a firearm, ammunition, components of firearms, or explosives shall not be guilty of violating the ordinance. Municipal governments may establish penalties for any intentional violation of such ordinance as deemed necessary to protect public safety. An ordinance adopted by the municipal government shall not prevent the following in municipal buildings or police stations:

(1) Possession of firearms, components of firearms, and ammunition or explosives by law-enforcement officers;

(2) Law-enforcement agencies receiving shipments or delivery of firearms, components of firearms, ammunition or explosives;

(3) Law-enforcement agencies conducting firearms safety and training programs;

(4) Law-enforcement agencies from conducting firearm or ammunition public safety programs, donation, amnesty, or any other similar programs in police stations or municipal buildings;

(5) Compliance by persons subject to protection from abuse court orders;

(6) Carrying firearms and ammunition by persons who hold a valid license pursuant to either § 1441 or § 1441A of Title 11 so long as the firearm remains concealed except for inadvertent display or for self-defense or defense of others;

(7) Officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry a concealed firearm; or

(8) Agents, messengers and other employees of common carriers, banks, or business firms, whose duties require them to protect moneys, valuables and other property and are engaged in the lawful execution of such duties.

(c) For the purposes of this subsection, “municipal building” means a building where a municipal government entity meets in its official capacity or containing the offices of elected officials and of public employees actively engaged in performing governmental business but excluding any parking facility; provided, however, that if such building is not a municipally-owned or -leased building, such building shall be considered a municipal building for the purposes of this section only during the time such government entity is meeting in or occupying such a building.

Legislative History

65 Del. Laws, c. 278, § 1 ; 74 Del. Laws, c. 280, § 1 ; 80 Del. Laws, c. 164, § 1